Rene & Pete
Thanks for the photos.
Rene - the “A” in Lot FA 41A is the Sub Lot. Sub Lots A, B, and C were manufactured. A and B were packed in cartons and Sub Lot C was packed in clips, in boxes. “Sub Lots” was a carry-over from the pre T291 days and practiced by Frankford Arsenal through 1960. I cannot find where Lake City continued the practice with the M72 that it manufactured.
Notice that the F.A. label changed starting with Lot 44 and the new designation as M72.
Pete - Cartons FA 5 and FA 11 are typical of the early T291 manufacture. The two bottom cartons are the very earliest labels. The one on the left was marked only with the velocity, for some reason. Others have no added markings whatsoever. The right hand carton is one of the pre-production inspectors sub lots. I have Sub Lot 973 in my own collection.
(I think you meant 1957 for the date on the left box).
Thanks to both of you for responding, and for the photos. I’m getting closer to filling in the blank spots in my research. A photo of Lot FA 2 is one of the missing pieces.
Ray