Wire spool

Eric Korhonen · #1 02-02-18, 16:29

Yesterday i picked up a spool of wire, the fella I got it from said it was WW2 communication wire. It has olive drab colour on spool. Markings on spool are
RL-159 /U. CROSBY.
Does anyone know if it is indeed WW2 vintage for sure. It will be greatly appreciated for any information regarding this

Thank you

Eric

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/at...1&d=1517584538

rob love · #2 02-02-18, 17:13

I can't speak as to the vintage of a Crosby made reel, but I can tell you that the reels are listed under NSN 8130-00-174-0812 and still in service today.

Lynn Eades · #3 02-02-18, 21:07

As far as the Crosby goes, I don't know either but the reels of telephone cable were in common use in WWII. My 1941 British built Armoured OP carrier had brackets for one of these, front and back of the carrier. There were also wooden frames that held these spools. A man wore them, at front, with the strap around his neck. This allowed him to walk and feed out cable or wind the handle as he walked to roll it up. I think these may have pre dated WWII, but not sure.

Frank v R · #4 02-02-18, 22:45

RL-159 is a post war reel, you can still buy these NOS with wire on them , the newer ones have CARC stamped into them,

Lynn Eades · #5 03-02-18, 00:15

I went and looked at my reels / drums, and they have wooden centers.

Eric Korhonen · #6 03-02-18, 13:25

Thanks for the help, looks like may never really know for sure but that’s ok. Will just have to take the old fellas word for it.

Eric

Jon Skagfeld · #7 03-02-18, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank v R

RL-159 is a post war reel, you can still buy these NOS with wire on them , the newer ones have CARC stamped into them,

Frank: Why would an RL/159/U even have CARC on it?

CARC=Chemically Applied Reactive Coating, usually found on newer military rolling stock, warning a Veh Tech to use certain repair methods, i.e. bodywork.

That's what a Veh Tech at Meaford told me.

Eric Korhonen · #8 03-02-18, 16:18

Looking at reel closer I noticed some writing on it

For: Maj. Namer this part is very clear the rest not so much. What I can make out looks to me like. D. Truck. 50 cap + T something or other and possibly Lakehead

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