US M 1918 Limber for the French 75mm mle/1897

This is a Limber built specifically for use with the M1918 Caisson but it differs only in small detail from the Limber for use with the French 75mm Gun. This Limber is in the same US Army 2 Color Camouflage as the French 75mm gun in our collection. Four Thousand one hundred twenty six of the US version of French 75mm Caisson Limber were in service overseas during the late years of World War I. (See period photographs)

Below: Rear, side and front views of the M 1918 Limber (Caisson Limber).

US M 1918 Limber M 1918 Limber

 

Front veiw of the Limber

Below.  Photographs and color print from the American Car & Foundry book illustrating the manufacturing process for American Limbers and Caissons.  The vehicles are painted “Three Color Camouflage” at the Detroit factory before being shipped to Army units. Notice that all the vehicles are painted in exactly the same pattern.  Also, the three colors consist of Green, Yellow and Cream with Black added as a shade.

This is a page on camouflage in US Army service in the WW1 era

American Car & Foundry Paint Shop for Limbers American Car Foundry Co. Color Print of a Camouflaged Caisson American Car & Foundry Artillery Vehicle Storage Yard

Below:  The French 75mm mle/1897, the American M1918 Limber, six sets of American M1916 Harnessing, and six American M19104 Saddles (McClellan Saddles)  

Below:  Closer photograph of the six sets of American M1916 Harnessing, and six American M19104 Saddles (McClellan Saddles) 

   

Below:  The French 75mm mle/97 hitched to the M1918 Caisson Limber with the saddles and harnessing to the front

Below:  A close photograph of the French 75mm mle/97 hitched to the M1918 Limber

Below:  A close photograph of the French 75mm mle/97 hitched to the M1918 Limber

Below:  Lead Team M1904 Saddles and M1916 Harnessing.  Note the breeching straps are missing in this photograph

Below:  The Swing Team M1904 Saddles and M1916 Harnessing .  Note the breeching straps are missing in this photograph

Below: The Wheel Team M1904 Saddles, M1916 Harnessing, hitched to the M1918 Caisson Limber.  Note this set has the correct breeching

 

Below:  The complete set of six M1916 Harnesses, Traces, Neck Yoke and M1904 McClellan Saddles for the M1918 Caisson Limber and M 1904 McClellan Saddle for the M 1918 Limber.  Many parts of the tack are marked to 118 Field Artillery

Below. 118 Field Artillery marked Bridle with R.I.A. marked snaffel bit

Artillery Bridle and Bit

Below. US M 1918 Caisson Limber for French 75mm mle/97. In other words, the Caisson hooks behind this vehicle

M 1918 Caisson Limber

Below.US M 1918 Limber for the French 75mm mle/97 gun

M 1918 Gun Limber

Below. US M 1918 Caisson for French 75mm mle/97 Ammunition

M 1918 Caisson

Below: The Six Horse Driver Team Near (Ridden) Horses with the US Model 1916 Harness and the Model 1904 Saddle.

US driver team Near Horses with the M 1916 harness and M 1904 Saddle

Below: The Six Horse Driver Team Off Side Horses (Non-Ridden) with the M 1916 Harness and the M 1904 Saddle.

US M 1916 Harness and M 1904 Saddles on the Off Side Horses

US Field Artillery Model 1916 Harness With M 1904 & 1928 Saddle Drawings

1st BN, 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard) Caisson Platoon using the Model 1916 Harness.

1st BN, 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard) Caisson Platoon hooking up the six horse team.

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All images, research, and text are sole property of Ralph Lovett