Grease Gun and Adapter

Before discussing the grease guns and adapters specifically it is informative to look at the Army's view of lubrication. A quick read of TM 9-803 paragraphs 17 & 18 will show the emphasis the Army placed on lubrication and maintenance. I quote from Paragraph 18 section a. "Lubrication Equipment. Each piece of materiel is supplied with lubrication equipment adequate to maintain the materiel." Grease guns and the adapter are some of the equipment the army provided to properly maintain the jeep. Depending on the date of manufacture, one of two styles of grease guns and adapters were issued. The first style was used up to March or April 1944. After that date, a second style was used. The first style was smaller, hand operated and was stored in the tool compartment. The second style was larger in capacity, lever operated and stored under the hood. I speculate a number of reasons prompted this change. A larger capacity, higher pressure grease gun, besides providing better lubrication for the jeep, could also be used on other vehicles and battlefield equipment. I can also see advantages to moving a leaky grease gun from the tool compartment to under the hood.

	Style 1 - Used until early 1944: Alemite Model 5585. No other information available at this time. This grease gun was provided with a lubricating end made to fit a Zerk style of grease fitting. The Adapter itself is 6 inches long and this particular one is finished with a black matte parkerized type of finish. I have seen photos of others that appear to be cadmium plated. The rear of the adapter has a Zerk fitting which attached to the grease gun. In addition to providing an extended reach the adapter provided for two functions. The adapter allowed the grease gun to be used on the earlier style of grease fitting. This part of the adapter could be removed leaving a 4 inches nipple that could be used when greasing the front steering universal joints.
	Style 2 - Used after April 1944: This style used a special bracket mounted on the left side under the hood. The shape of the bracket is fairly distinctive and can not be confused with any other bracket. There are four holes in the bracket for mounting screws. These holes are 8 inches by 1 ½ inches apart. The correct grease gun fits in the bracket perfectly. Look at the photo carefully and you will be able to note several identifying characteristics. The markings on this particular grease gun read: On the body: ALEMITE LEVER GUN REG US PAT OFF MODEL 6593 PATD RL 20.852 016 809 OTHERS PEND STEWART-WARNER CORP 303361 ALEMITE DIVISION MADE IN CHICAGO U.S.A. On the Lever: LEVER MUST BE OUT WHEN LOADING GUN ALEMITE
	The Adapter used on lever style grease guns: The adapter for the lever style did not need to be as complex as did the earlier style. The later style grease gun already had a longer reach. The lubricating end to fit Zerk fittings could be unscrewed and this adapter screwed on. The threads used on the different pieces of lubricating guns are standard pipe threads which added to its flexibility. This adapter has been machined from round stock. It is 1 inch tall and ½ inches wide. It has a nice cadmium finish. This tool allowed the grease to be directed in a more tidy fashion if you were applying grease to an area not provided with a Zerk fitting. For additional flexibility, a rubber hose could be fitted between this tool and the grease gun. There are no markings on this tool.

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