Hi All,


I've been looking everywhere but I haven't been able to locate much on the embossed markings for WWII era US 55 gallon fuel drums. A few of the old Tamiya kits have some raised or "embossed" lettering on the fuel drum's face but I haven't been able to find a single reference photo to confirm if this is accurate.

Does anyone have any resources to say whether the raised lettering on the Tamiya offerings is more or less accurate? Did some of the drums come this way or were they actually just flat and blank? Just for clarity, I'm only talking about the US fuel drums, I'm aware there are a gazillion offerings of various German drums with numerous raised lettering options.

Any help locating a resource to confirm or correct the question of raised lettering on these drums would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Jim
LSA

Excerpt from the "Interstate Commerce Commission Regulations For The Transportation of Explosives and other Dangerous Articles by Express including Specifications For Shipping Containers Prescribed under Act of March 4, 1921 Issued November 20, 1944 Effective January 1, 1945" (!) :

Marking :

11. On each container. —By embossing on head with raised marks as follows:
(a) ICC--5. This mark shall be understood to certify that the container complies with all specification requirements.
(b) Name or symbol (letters) of maker; this must be recorded with the Bureau of Explosives.
(c) Gauge of metal in thinnest part, rated capacity in gallons, and year of manufacture (for example, 14-55-39). When gauge of metal in body differs from that in the head, both must be indicated with slanting line between and with gauge of body indicated first (for example 14/12-55-39 for body 14 gauge and head 12 gauge).

12. Size of markings (minimum). —1/2" high for 33-gallon or less, 3/4" for over 33 and not over 55 gallons, and 1" for over 55 gallons.

Still trying to find usable pics (all I've found yet are tons of German 200-liter drums... )

On a side note, the Korea War picture shows both embossed markings and stencils :

http://crein.gettyimageskorea.com/images/82501213.jpg

H.P.