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Finding NSN's

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fablon biff chit
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Fablon biff chit

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First. Apologies for talking shop on the weekend, but I'm the duty bod and stuck at work!

Regarding stock numbers. How the hell are they decided upon? You would expect similar items to run sequentially, and some do, but mostly not. For example - cyalumes

6260-01-.......
0744229 12hrs Red
0744230 30 mins Yellow
1178560 8 hrs Blue
1959752 3 hrs IR
2094434 Mini (1 inch long) Green
2094436 Mini Blue
2470363 5 minute brilliant orange
1960637 Clip for use with the above.

(If you were after some, now you have the nsn's.....)

And trying to find items with only a description is next to impossible too. For example rank slides! Try looking for them on usas. Why on earth do they use such wierd descriptions?

Anyone got any tips for finding part numbers?
 
Last edited:
First. Apologies for talking shop on the weekend, but I'm the duty bod and stuck at work!

Regarding stock numbers. How the hell are they decided upon? You would expect similar items to run sequentially, and some do, but mostly not. For example - cyalumes

6260-01-.......
0744229 12hrs Red
0744230 30 mins Yellow
1178560 8 hrs Blue
1959752 3 hrs IR
2094434 Mini (1 inch long) Green
2094436 Mini Blue
2470363 5 minute brilliant orange
1960637 Clip for use with the above.

(If you were after some, now you have the nsn's.....)

And trying to find items with only a description is next to impossible too. For example rank slides! Try looking for them on usas. Why on earth do they use such wierd descriptions?

Anyone got any tips for finding part numbers?

Cyalumes are probably one of the worst examples to use as they were codified by the US Armed Forces (hence the '01' nation ident after the first four numbers) and as its a NATO standard number we in the British military have very little control over their numbering.

For other items which don't run concurrent the usual reason is either expansion of the range from the original codified range (for example, extra sizes of wedgewood blue shirts) or certain stock numbers being reserved for a specific item leading to concurrent numbers being broken up.

As for item descriptions, clothing is controlled through the army (Oliver?) system which then has to communicate with the USAS as used by us RAF types. To reduce the chances of confusion between the two branches item descriptors are kept as simple as possible, the stock number after all is the important part.

BTW, which sort of rank slide are you looking for? If its the DPM variety then I'm sure you are aware that only RAF Regt personnel are entitled to be issued them as they are the only branch that they are scaled for, all other branches (according to dress regs and JSP336 scaling) should be wearing blue rank slides, although formed units such as TSW can issue such items (emblazoned with unit titles) but not from public funds.
 
BTW, which sort of rank slide are you looking for? If its the DPM variety then I'm sure you are aware that only RAF Regt personnel are entitled to be issued them as they are the only branch that they are scaled for, all other branches (according to dress regs and JSP336 scaling) should be wearing blue rank slides, although formed units such as TSW can issue such items (emblazoned with unit titles) but not from public funds.

It was just an example.

You are well informed! One day maybe I will be like you ;)
 
It was just an example.

You are well informed! One day maybe I will be like you ;)


I just wish my assessments had reflected the fact for all these years.

Too much trade knowledge and operational experience, not enough 'OC Sewing Club' or 'bath of baked beans sitting', not that I'm bitter.:PDT_Xtremez_30:

This time next year I'll have already had my last promotion....
 
Cyalumes are probably one of the worst examples to use as they were codified by the US Armed Forces (hence the '01' nation ident after the first four numbers...
...dress regs and JSP336 scaling) should be wearing blue rank slides, although formed units such as TSW can issue such items (emblazoned with unit titles) but not from public funds.

Bl00dy hell mate, you do really need to get out more.

Take up a hobby perhaps? and that doesn't include reading JSP's for fun.

You know, strange as it may seem to some, there is a life outside of Supply.

D
 
Bl00dy hell mate, you do really need to get out more.

Take up a hobby perhaps? and that doesn't include reading JSP's for fun.

You know, strange as it may seem to some, there is a life outside of Supply.

D

Oh I'm well aware of that.:PDT_Xtremez_15:

BTW, spent my overall rather unproductive day today convincing a couple of lads to join 'the wing'. Looks like new meat for the beast to me.
 
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