Description
WWII U.S. Army 155mm Long Tom Operating-Lever Catch Plug, P/N 7226078, NSN 1025-00-722-6078
Item Overview
This original World War II U.S. Army spare part is a Plug, Operating Lever Catch, part number 7226078. Its later standardized designation is Disk, Solid, Plain, under NSN 1025-00-722-6078. The small copper-alloy disk was used within the breech operating-lever catch on the 155mm Gun M2 and M2A1 “Long Tom” family.
Identification and Features
This non-explosive mechanical component measures approximately 0.300" in diameter and 0.125" thick. Its original wrapper identifies the part through both its wartime supply-catalog number and later standardized part number.
- Original nomenclature: Plug, Operating Lever Catch
- Later designation: Disk, Solid, Plain
- Part number: 7226078
- National Stock Number: 1025-00-722-6078
- Wrapper code: D024-7226078
- Material: Copper alloy
- Diameter: Approximately 0.299"–0.300"
- Thickness: Approximately 0.125"
- Surface finish: Semismooth
- Application: 155mm Gun M2 and M2A1
- Assembly: Breech operating-lever catch
- Manual reference: TM 9-350, Figure 26
- Condition: World War II-era new old stock
Function
The complete operating-lever catch was mounted beside the Long Tom’s breech operating lever. The crew pressed the catch downward before pulling and swinging the lever to open the breech. P/N 7226078 is the small copper-alloy plug used within that catch assembly, not the complete operating-lever catch.
Manual and Supply-Catalog Identification
War Department Technical Manual TM 9-350 shows the complete operating-lever catch in Figure 26 with the breech closed, although the small internal plug is not illustrated separately. The wrapper code D024-7226078 combines the SNL D-24 supply-catalog identifier with the individual part number. SNL D-24 covered the 155mm Long Tom gun and its replacement components.
Dickson Gun Plant History
The original wrapper is marked Dickson Gun Plant, connecting this spare part to a major World War II ordnance facility in Houston, Texas. The 124-acre plant was built during 1942 and operated by Hughes Tool Company for the U.S. Army, producing centrifugally cast artillery gun tubes in several calibers. Operations ended on August 14, 1945, making the marked wrapper evidence of this part’s WWII-era origin.
Long Tom History
The 155mm Long Tom was one of the U.S. Army’s principal heavy field guns during World War II. It provided long-range artillery fire against enemy positions, transportation routes, and fortified targets. Long Tom guns remained in military service after the war, including during the Korean War, which kept replacement components in the Army supply system for many years.
Condition
This is an original WWII-era new-old-stock spare part in period packaging. The copper-alloy disk may show tarnish, discoloration, preservative, or light storage marks, while the wrapper may have fading, stains, tears, creases, handwriting, or other signs of age. This listing is for one P/N 7226078 plug only; the complete catch, breech mechanism, operating lever, cannon, carriage, and other components are not included unless specifically pictured or stated.
Ideal For
This original packaged component is well suited for restoration, research, preservation, and historical display.
- 155mm Long Tom restoration projects
- World War II artillery collections
- Original Long Tom spare-parts displays
- Dickson Gun Plant memorabilia collections
- U.S. Army ordnance packaging collections
- Military museums and educational exhibits
Approx length 0.300", Approx width 0.300", Approx height 0.125", Approx weight lbs.
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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