OS markings on ww2 british equipment

[WpgBinocular]

I believe it’s Ordnance Stores.

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by WpgBinocular

I believe it’s Ordnance Stores.

Isn't the Broad Arrow marking the indicator of Ordnance Stores?.

[WpgBinocular]

The Broad Arrow is in indicator of ownership and is also seen on other non-military government property. OS is a VAOS (Vocabulary of Army Ordnance Stores) coding.

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by WpgBinocular

The Broad Arrow is in indicator of ownership and is also seen on other non-military government property. OS is a VAOS (Vocabulary of Army Ordnance Stores) coding.

So, then getting back to Daniel's question, is there a document which lists the VAOS codes?

[wendel daniel]

Thanks for this information, as ed i will intersted about document about this.
The mystery on the tabby case is OS for the army, but juste before Patt is for the navy. Thanks for your help

[Richard Farrant]

I have seen OS stock numbers appertaing to Optical items and parts, such as sights, telescopes, etc. OS may mean Optical Stores, although I have not seen reference to that.

[WpgBinocular]

The VAOS catalogues are voluminous containing literally thousands of codings for practically all military equipment and parts used by the U.K. and Commonwealth armies (not navies). They were introduced about 1868 and were phased out upon with the introduction of NATO Stock Numbers in 1956. Attached is a typical cover page from a British 1940 VAOS Catalogue and an overview of the VAOS system written by Clive Elliott which unfortunately is no longer available on-line. Also see Clive Law’s “Without Warning, Canadian Sniper Equipment in the 20th Century” pages 54-55 and 81-86.