Nato stock numbers

[dougiebarder]

Bit of a long shot this, but does anybody know if there's an online searchable nato stock number database? I want to do a bit of research, and knowing what the stock number mean's would be really helpfull.
Cheers

Dougie

[Richard Farrant]

Dougie,

Are you interested in what the initial numbers and letters are?
ie. LV7RU/ being Land Rover for example. Of the four groups of numbers following, the first denotes the role of the item, the second is the country of origin, ie 00 is USA, 99 is UK, 66 is Australia and so on.

In a recent copy of the MVT magazine, Windscreen, Clive Elliott wrote a comprehensive article on all this. You may be able to buy a back copy from the club shop.

Richard

[dougiebarder]

The main reason I'm trying to get a data base, is that I bought some bits and pieces by tender, and I want to know what I've got. Eg
9GWR 2920-99-725-7522
It's a wiring loom, but I don't know what off.
I've various other bit's and pieces, and I was hoping i coult put all the numbers in a search and get a decent description of the item.
It's not really relavent to the forum, other than being military surplus though, So I won't take up too much room with question's.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by dougiebarder
The main reason I'm trying to get a data base, is that I bought some bits and pieces by tender, and I want to know what I've got. Eg
9GWR 2920-99-725-7522
It's a wiring loom, but I don't know what off.

Dougie,
That looks like the code for a GKN Saxon APC.

If you send me a private message listing the first group
ie "9GWR 2920", I will try and identify what vehicle or equipment they are for.

Richard

[dougiebarder]

I think you've hit the nail on the head.
The full label said
9GWR
2920-99-725-7522
Harness
27145100392600
QTY1
GKN SANKEY LTD
CSP2B9/101
DATE 2.9.96
SAWLEY PACKAGING
COMPANY LIMITED

so the manufacturer is right at least.
Cheers.

[Keith Webb]

I remember when working at Hughes Trading in the 70s a lot of the boxes with CMP spares were marked LV6/MT13 - GMC CCKW stuff was LV7/GMC.
Is this anything to do with NATO?

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Keith Webb
I remember when working at Hughes Trading in the 70s a lot of the boxes with CMP spares were marked LV6/MT13 - GMC CCKW stuff was LV7/GMC.
Is this anything to do with NATO?

Hi Keith,
The NATO system of numbering centres on the 4 groups of numbers, the prefixes such as those you remember from Hughes are not so relevant now, although they are of help to identify what equipment they may be for.

So, LV6/MT13 dates back from wartime daysand is actually the grouping for;
"B and C Vehicles, Coach Materials, Body Fitments, Covers Waterproof & Towing attachments"

In those days prior of course to computor stock controls, etc., the LV group was followed by the manufacturers own part number. As was often the case, identical parts could be found on different manufactures vehicles but with separate numbers, with the NATO or NSN numbering thse sort of things could be identified and one number given to them.

Just recently come across a brake master cylinder identical to that on the Ford Blitz or CMP with a recent US originated NATO number.

Richard

Hope this is of help.

[Keith Webb]

Here's one I found at Stuart Loy's...



So 6 represents another grouping of parts, (electrical?)

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Keith Webb

So 6 represents another grouping of parts, (electrical?)

Keith,
To decipher your label, LV6 denotes Land Vehicle MT Stores item and MT3 is the grouping for lights, etc. on B and C vehicles. The number following that would have been the makers part number.

Richard

[Keith Webb]

Is there a listing for the categories online?

Keith

[Richard Farrant]

Keith,
Not that I am aware of. Clive Elliott, one of our MVT members has compiled lists of codes back from wartime to present day covering the early LV system and the later NATO Stock Numbers (NSN) and published them in the MVT Windscreen magazine.
As Clive has copyrighted his work I have no wish to infringe it but if you would like to contact him I can pass you his details.

Richard