This is a genuine Rear Spring Seat from the M1A1 Carriage used with the 155mm M1/M114 Towed Howitzer, one of the U.S. Army’s most widely deployed medium artillery systems of the 20th century. Manufactured to U.S. military specifications and marked with Part Number A174924 (also listed as 5174923) and FSN 1025-517-4923, this original component was designed to anchor the recoil and trail spring assembly on the split-trail carriage system.

Historical Background – M1/M114 155mm Howitzer & M1A1 Carriage (Howitzer Version)

Introduced during World War II, the M1/M114 155mm Howitzer served as the U.S. Army’s standard medium towed howitzer for decades. Known for its reliability and solid performance, the M1/M114 saw action in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, and remained in service into the 1990s with U.S. and allied forces.

The M1A1 Carriage used for the M114 was a split-trail design that offered stable firing capability and ease of transport. While it shared its designation with the M1A1 Gun Carriage used for the 155mm “Long Tom,” the two are not interchangeable—each was engineered for different recoil dynamics and load-bearing characteristics.

The rear spring seat was critical in managing trail leg recoil, keeping the howitzer stable under repeated fire and heavy battlefield conditions. These parts were regularly serviced and replaced, making them vital for accurate restoration or maintenance work.

Product Specifications:

Component: Rear Spring Seat
Platform: M1A1 Carriage (M1, M114 Howitzer only)
Weapon System: 155mm M1/M114 Towed Howitzer
FSN: 1025-517-4923
Part Numbers: A174924 / 5174923
Condition: New Old Stock (NOS)

Perfect For:

Authentic M114 155mm howitzer restoration projects
Military museums and artillery collections
Spare parts resupply for vintage howitzers
Cold War and Vietnam-era artillery display setups
Collectors of original U.S. field artillery hardware

This Rear Spring Seat for the M1A1 Carriage (Howitzer version) is a rare opportunity to acquire an original, NOS component that embodies the engineering legacy of mid-century American artillery.

Approx length 9.5", Approx width 9.5", Approx height .5", Approx weight 8lbs.

Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item's general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.

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