Description
Original WWII U.S. Army M40/M43 Self-Propelled Artillery Crew-Seat Safety Belt, P/N B154723
This original World War II U.S. Army safety belt, identified by part/drawing number B154723, was used on the crew seats of the 155mm Gun Motor Carriage T83, later standardized as the M40, and the related 8-inch Howitzer Motor Carriage T89, later standardized as the M43.
Army Technical Manual TM 9-747 specifically lists “BELT, safety (B154723)” with a quantity of eight per vehicle and gives the stowage location as “On crew seats.” The belt secured crewmen while the tracked artillery vehicle was moving.
Historical Significance
The T83 and T89 were developed late in World War II as a new generation of American self-propelled heavy artillery based on components of the M4 Sherman tank family.
The T83 carried a 155mm gun and became the M40 Gun Motor Carriage. The closely related T89 carried an 8-inch howitzer and became the M43 Howitzer Motor Carriage. Both placed the main weapon in a large rear fighting compartment while using a tracked armored chassis to give heavy artillery greater mobility.
TM 9-747 describes the vehicle as having seating for a crew of eight men. The same manual lists eight B154723 safety belts, matching the number of crew seats. These belts were therefore part of the vehicle's original crew equipment rather than a general-purpose cargo strap.
The M40 and M43 designs originated during World War II and continued into the early postwar period, making surviving original interior components useful artifacts from the transition between wartime Sherman-based vehicles and later generations of self-propelled artillery.
What This Item Is and Does
The B154723 is an adjustable web safety belt designed for the crew seating inside the T83/M40 and T89/M43.
The belt uses heavy woven webbing with metal adjustment hardware. Open metal hooks at the ends attach the belt to the crew-seat structure, allowing the belt to be secured around the occupant.
The adjustable webbing allowed the same basic belt assembly to fit crewmen of different sizes while keeping them restrained during vehicle movement over rough terrain.
This is a crew-seat restraint belt. It is not a lifting sling, cargo tie-down, ammunition strap, or personal field-equipment belt.
Key Features
- Official nomenclature: Belt, Safety
- Part/drawing number: B154723
- Period: World War II
- Service: U.S. Army
- Application: 155mm Gun Motor Carriage T83
- Standardized application: M40 Gun Motor Carriage
- Application: 8-inch Howitzer Motor Carriage T89
- Standardized application: M43 Howitzer Motor Carriage
- Manual reference: TM 9-747
- Quantity specified by TM 9-747: Eight per vehicle
- Stowage/location: On crew seats
- Construction: Heavy military webbing with metal hardware
- Attachment: Open metal seat hooks
- Adjustable for occupant fit
- Included: One original safety belt
Why This Item Matters
Interior fittings are often among the first components lost when historic armored vehicles are stripped, rebuilt, or restored.
A seat belt may look like a simple piece of equipment, but B154723 is directly identified in the original vehicle manual. That documented part number makes it valuable for an accurate M40 or M43 interior restoration.
The fact that TM 9-747 calls for eight belts also helps show how the complete crew compartment was equipped during service.
For a museum or private restoration, an original B154723 belt adds a small but highly specific detail that is difficult to reproduce accurately without an original example.
About This Item
The photographed belt retains its tan military webbing, metal adjustment hardware, open attachment hooks, and attached handwritten identification tag. The webbing and hardware show age, staining, discoloration, surface wear, and other signs expected from long-term storage and military use.
The handwritten tag reads approximately:
- Safety Belt
- P/N B-154723
- Code # G105-15-15302
This listing is for one original B154723 safety belt. Crew seats, seat frames, vehicle mounting hardware, M40/M43 vehicle components, and other equipment are not included unless specifically shown or stated.
Ideal For
- M40 Gun Motor Carriage restorations
- M43 Howitzer Motor Carriage restorations
- T83 and T89 prototype displays
- WWII self-propelled artillery collections
- Sherman-family vehicle collections
- U.S. Army vehicle-interior restorations
- Military museums
- Crew-equipment displays
- Original WWII vehicle-parts collections
- Technical and educational exhibits
Approx length 68", Approx width 3", Approx height 1", Approx weight 1.6lbs.
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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