1942 US Army Q.M.C. Low Voltage Circuit Tester

[Private Lugnutz]

Found this at my first flea market of the year this morning.

Posted some photos in the 2019 Garage Sale thread, being hosted by BlueBomber this year, but I thought I'd post more here in its own thread rather than bog that thread down, and not everyone is a Garage Sale threader.

It's a Federal Stock Number 17-T-5575 Model Q.M.C. 1-42 Low Voltage Circuit Tester made by Heyer in Belleville, NJ, complete with four different leads (rheos, rheos with ground, battery spikes and calibrated shunt) and original Operating Instructions, also dated 1942, tucked in behind that tin schematic plate under the lid.

These units were issued to every 2nd Echelon Tool-Set No. 2 and used to test regulator, generator, starter and battery circuits in mobile and fixed-site depots just behind the FLOT during WWII. They are not rare, but not too common, either, and prized by WWII military vehicle guys who like to use period correct equipment and/or accessorize their Living History Displays at shows with depot equipment.

 

[SuperCat]

Sweet score, looks like you just took it off the workbench in 1942!

 

[4xdog]

That's a good start, Lugz! Nifty instrument.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here are some period references...

...and a staged black-and-white shot to emphasize the spittin' image resemblance to the Army manual!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Sweet score, looks like you just took it off the workbench in 1942!

Thanks, SuperCat. It is in incredibly good condition. The leads are very supple and intact. The dial is intact. The switches work. I haven't tested it yet, though. The lid is boogered up, as you can see, but I don't mind, because it's been repainted black, and I plan to strip it and repaint it the original QMC grey, which you can see underneath.

That's a good start, Lugz! Nifty instrument.

It is. I'm glad it came with the OM!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That looks like it still works

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I am hopeful, Otg!

 

[tombell572]

Interesting--in1969-70 I learned to use the LVCT while going through the Wheeled Vehicle Maintenance School at Ft. Jackson, SC. I'm sure there were updates and mods over the years, but yours looks familiar in size and features to what I recall using there. Must have been a good reliable tool.

Tom B.

 

[bmwrd0]

That is nice Lugz, I am a fan of old test equipment.

 

[gayler]

I have a voltage test similar to that one. Not sure of model number. If you want it its yours for shipping.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Interesting--in1969-70 I learned to use the LVCT while going through the Wheeled Vehicle Maintenance School at Ft. Jackson, SC. I'm sure there were updates and mods over the years, but yours looks familiar in size and features to what I recall using there. Must have been a good reliable tool.

Thanks for the testimony, Tom. Based on my research, versions of this model were in the inventory through the end of the Vietnam era.

That is nice Lugz, I am a fan of old test equipment.

Thanks, Beemer. This one is a very popular accessory at Military Vehicle shows.

 

[gayler]

Here’s what I’ve got.

 

[metalhead212121]

Private Lugnutz- what flea market were you at??

 

[d42jeep]

That may fall into the catagory of Classified Information.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here’s what I’ve got.

Signal Corps, 1955. Nice!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Private Lugnutz- what flea market were you at??

As Don alluded to below, I don't like to be too specific about that, like protecting a fishing hole or a tree stand! Here's a map. I frequent three different flea markets in this Central Jersey area...