Hi Lynn, not trying to answer for Ron but regular maintenance on this particular joint is paramount, it states in the maintenance book that not greasing even one nipple is just as bad as not greasing the whole joint at all. It is quite a complex part if you ever get to pull one apart and you can certainly appreciate why it requires so many nipples
In my opinion, I don't think it was an early production joint as I have seen them on late model carriers as well as early ones. Like with most things, I think I would have came done to parts availability at the time and also manufacture preference as to whether to use this coupling, the 8 point coupling or the muff coupling. From memory the 2pdr and 3' mortar carrier use the 8 point coupling in there drive lines.
Regards, Nathan