Question re paper-wrapped G.I. magazines

[mannyrock]

Dear Guys,

    I often see people post ads for magazines, such as m-1 carbine mags, that say things like "Winchester code, still in G.I. wrapping paper."

    My question is:  if the magazine is in the original G.I. wrap paper, then how do they know what the manufacturer code is?  Most of the wrapped magazines I have seen at shows are wrapped tight from head to toe.

Mannyrock

[LanceR]

Most GI items, even today, have a numerical manufacturer's code number on them.  Each manufacturer is assigned a unique number.  At the beginning of WWII most otems had very little manufacturers info or dates on them.  Towards the of the war items had much more info on them such as contract #s, dates, specification #s, manufacturer's name or code etc.

Most items made in the last 50 years have a Defense Supply Agency (DSA) or now, a Defense Logistics Agency contract number.  The 7th and 8th characters are separated from the others and tell you what year the contract was let on that item.  That can help to date the approximate age of items.

Lance