Tripod Data Plates and T&E's

[Kali Komrade]

Tripod Data Plates...
I know someone here asked about tripod data plates a while back so... Lets see if we can't dig up some more info on the manufacturers and Pictures of the Data plates...
High rez photo's preferred but not necessary... If you have one... measurements of the size of the plate would be nice too... type of metal brass, steel etc....

Also... Lets see some pic's of T&E's I'll be posting mine soon I noticed mine was marked with LMC on the bottom...

These images I've found below through image searches on the net...

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m113/Dano561/tripod%20data%20plates/M2tripodLovellmfr.jpg
M2 Tripod Data plate Lovell Mfg. Co. 1942 Brass w/ steel rivets

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m113/Dano561/tripod%20data%20plates/M2tripodAMCmfr.jpg
M2 Tripod Data plate Appliance Mfg. Co. 1943 Steel w/ brass machine screws

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m113/Dano561/tripod%20data%20plates/m3tripoddp.jpg
M3 Tripod Data plate Central Steel Tube Co. 1943 Steel w/ brass rivets

[ironcreations]

i was looking a while back, i have been trying to get a bunch of diferent ones made. we just havent had the time. i will add these to the list. i hope to have some in the next couple weeks or so.

[Dan Wilson]

Heres my contribution;

RIA M2 tripod, no data plate but stamped into the head.

Dan
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/FTFFTW/MilSurp/100_3863.jpg

[Kali Komrade]

Hmmm... Haven't seen on of those RIA's yet thats a first for me I had no idea RIA made tripods... When I strip my Tripod head I'll shoot a pic of mine... I have an early Appliance Mfg. Co. Tripod... It actually had the mickey mouse feet until they retrofitted it... Man did they do a quick crude job on the retro fit...

Hey IC if your thinking about having them reproduced... Do them right... I can't tell you the shit storm that came down when IMA-USA reproduced a couple of types they had them made like they were made at a trophy engraver... I think I can do the DWG drawing on these if I can get some basic measurements...

Here's one of the repro ones they did...That ain't gonna fly... I think even Mark Genovese bought one of these if I recall correctly...
http://www.ima-usa.com/images/MU1946-5.jpg


Here's a Lamson Steel w/ brass machine screws
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m113/Dano561/tripod%20data%20plates/lamson.jpg

[Kali Komrade]

My tripod head...
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m113/Dano561/bodywork002.jpg

[ironcreations]

I need a few more if possible, this is a pain in the ass to do. I need to know if it looks like they were stamped or engraved. I can get A die made to stamp them, and I am close. I should know something early next week. I can get the engraved but it would cost a bit more. most look like they may have been stamped. what do you guys think? I am researching the companies that made the tripods, and most tags were removed early on. They were stamped in the head. all the ones I have found at the armory are stamped on the front and rear of the head. some still had the holes where the tag was, but no tags. I have a air operated stamping tool, well 2 of them I could set up to do it on. I am trying to get something as close as possible. Thanks...Jeff

[Kali Komrade]

They look like they were stamped to me... If they were engraved they would have to be CNC engraved cause that trophy engraving crap don't cut it...

[bigblock]

How about the plate for the 1917 tripod? any pics of those? I just have the sheetmetal plate holding the leather strap on. Is that where It goes? Kinda on the same note how about the leather tool bag for the same mount?

[ironcreations]

How about the plate for the 1917 tripod? any pics of those? I just have the sheetmetal plate holding the leather strap on. Is that where It goes? Kinda on the same note how about the leather tool bag for the same mount?
the 17 plates were a casting, I may know of someone that can do those, I will ask. the leather pouch is still available around $75.00. I had a guy looking into making those, and he has mine for a pattern. I have not heard from him in a while. problem was his were going to be in the $85.00 range. but they were new to and hand made.

[emmagee1917]

Most 1917A1 tripods had a brass/bronze casting on the rear leg held by 2 rivets. At least one mfg. , in '43 I believe , went to a stamped steel plate , welded on , to save on brass. I also have one that has the stamping info moved to the side of the head , unfortunatly the rear leg is not orig. ( it has a brass tag with a much earlier serial # on it) , so I don't know what they put back there to hold the strap on in this case. Chris

[Kali Komrade]

Didn't IMA-USA or was it BMG parts have some blank watercooled data plates for the 1928 colt tripod and I think someone had some of the 17 tripod ones... I think they had repop's and originals...

[ironcreations]

here is what I have got today as a reply on making some dies to do this, I think I can just get them engraved to look more like the stampings than the stampings. ...Jeff,

Argon Tool could make you a hand stamp to mark the entire plate. In brass it would still take a
heavy blow by hammer. It would be much easier if you have an arbor press you could use to push it in.

It appears the plate is approx 1-1/4" x 2-1/2". A hand stamp to stamp the entire plate, leaving the
boxes unmarked so you can individually mark numbers in those later, would price at $265.00, price may
vary depending on actual size of your data plate.
SO....I am working on it still... I will keep you guys informed on the progress..

[Kali Komrade]

Not bad on the price I wonder how many impressions could come from that one die... and the other issue would be all the dies... I don't see why someone can't CNC engrave them...

[ironcreations]

they can, it was quanity that was the problem. most places want to do a min. of 100 at about $6 to 8.00 each. also the one IMA sells is engraved with the pointy bit. I did talk to my guy today and he tells me he can do it with a flat bit to look more original, as long as i do about 20 each. i will more than likley go that route. it will be after knob creek, as we are hoping to find a few originals there.

[Kali Komrade]

Well... I'd be down for an AMC one... Just let me know your finished price Obviously you gotta tack some money on for the trouble....

[ironcreations]

well here is what I have so far, it is more closer to what the original looked like. these were engraved on a CNC mill, not a trophy engraver like the IMA ones. I may have more coming. I have about 10 of each, and these ate up a sheet 24"x24" material. i just order the one sheet to try it out. let me know what you think.. I think I can sell these for about $15.00 each. You guys are the first to see them, i will have them up on my site in a day or so. .. I also have the ordnance stamp if you want it struck somewhere
http://img256.imagevenue.com/loc196/th_33945_tripod_tags_001_122_196lo.jpg (http://img256.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=33945_tripod_tags_001_122_196lo.jpg) http://img22.imagevenue.com/loc933/th_33946_tripod_tags_002_122_933lo.jpg (http://img22.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=33946_tripod_tags_002_122_933lo.jpg) http://img196.imagevenue.com/loc538/th_33954_tripod_tags_003_122_538lo.jpg (http://img196.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=33954_tripod_tags_003_122_538lo.jpg) http://img225.imagevenue.com/loc363/th_33961_tripod_tags_004_122_363lo.jpg (http://img225.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=33961_tripod_tags_004_122_363lo.jpg)
http://img195.imagevenue.com/loc185/th_33963_tripod_tags_005_122_185lo.jpg (http://img195.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=33963_tripod_tags_005_122_185lo.jpg) http://img183.imagevenue.com/loc580/th_33969_tripod_tags_006_122_580lo.jpg (http://img183.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=33969_tripod_tags_006_122_580lo.jpg)

[Kali Komrade]

Yeah... but but but... Wheres AMC... Appliance Mfg. Co. It's similar to the Lovell same inspectors stamp as well HMR... Would make sense since they were located in and around the same area... Those are the best ones I've seen yet they look clean... Your going to leave them blank so the guys would be able to stamp there own numbers...???

[ironcreations]

I asked for some blank, but we ran out of material. Most people will not be able to stamp there own, I have another 6 or so we will be doing. AMC is on that list, a sheet of material is about $150.00 24x24", so I didnt get carried away at first, as I wanted to see what the cost will be, and how they would turn out. if you guys think they look ok I will be doing the remaining 6 i have on file. I will be ordering some more soon. I will have some without numbers. the ones I have do have diferent numbers, by a didgit or two. theres is more on the way, but I thought I would post the pictures as they come in. it takes about 10 minutes each to engrave them. the ones I have so far are on my site, but if any one wants one here, I can save you on shipping by making a trip to the Post office by regular mail.

[Kali Komrade]

Nah nah they look great but you know most will want to stamp there serial numbers into that area... The engraving looks very very close to the original including the fonts and the depth even... You must have gotten some good samples for dimension...