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

This is the US Model 1918 Caisson Limber and only differs in small detail from the Gun Limber.

The Limber is in the same US Army 2 Color Camouflage as the “French 75” gun. The US version of the "French 75"

support vehicles 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 “Two 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 two colors consist of Green and Yellow with White and Black added as shades.

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. 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 complete set of six M1916 Harnesses, Traces, Neck Yoke and M1904 McClellan Saddles for the M1918 Caisson Limber. 

US M 1916 Horse Harness and M 1904 McClellan Saddle for the M 1918 Limber.  Many parts of the tack are marked to 118 Field Artillery.

M1904 Saddles with M1916 harness
US WW1 Era Horse Harnessing for the M1918 Limber   US WW1 Era Horse Harnessing for the M1918 Limber

Below: The two Wheel Team Harness and saddle rigs without the single trees and a Neck Yoke.

M1916 Harness with M1904 Saddle

Below: Side view of the M1918 Limber for the French 75mm mle/97 with the M1904 saddles and M1916 Harness rigs for the Wheel Team.

M1916 Harness with M1904 Saddle

Below: Front view of the M1918 Limber and Wheel Team rig.

Front View with Wheel Team rig

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

Artillery Bridle and Bit

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