How to Date U.S. Military Jackets and Pants Using DA, DSA, DLA, and SPO Numbers
For collectors and enthusiasts of U.S. military surplus, determining the production date of jackets, pants, and other gear is an essential step. By examining procurement numbers like DA, DSA, DLA, and SPO, you can easily pinpoint when an item was made. These numbers often include the year, helping to uncover the garment’s historical context.
To determine the era of a U.S. military garment, first identify the type of contract number on the label:
- DA (Defense Agency): Used from 1953 to 1962.
- DSA (Defense Supply Agency): Active from 1962 to 1977.
- DLA (Defense Logistics Agency): In use from 1978 to 1993.
- SPO, SPM, and similar numbers: Found on items from 1994 to the present.
If the label only has a manufacturer stamp, the item likely predates 1953, aligning with the Korean War era.
Understanding DA, DSA, DLA, and SPO Numbers
1. DA Numbers (Defense Agency)
Used from 1953 until 1962, DA numbers were primarily used during the Korean War and the early years of the Vietnam War. These numbers often don't include a specific year but can be traced to items from the early Cold War period.
- Example: DA-36-243-QM(CTM)11459-C-62 (1962)
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Additionally during this time period it is very common to see the date directly printed on the label including the pattern date and the manufacturing date.
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Example:
CONT: QM - (CTM)- 1711-01-748-C-58
DATE: 31 JANUARY 1958
SPEC. MIL-C.11448B, AMEND #1
PATT. DATE: 14 MARCH 1957
2. DSA Numbers (Defense Supply Agency)
From the 1962 until 1978, the DSA system was used. These numbers can be more complex, with several variations:
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1962-1964: The DSA-1 prefix was used, with a suffix like YY-C, where Y stands for the year.
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Example: DSA-1-2157-63-C (1963)
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1965: The DSA-1 prefix appeared, but with no suffix for the year.
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Example: DSA-1-8599
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1966: The DSA-100 prefix was used, again with no dating suffix.
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Example: DSA-100-2151
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1967-1977: The DSA-100 prefix was followed by a YY-C suffix, where YY represented the year.
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Example: DSA-100-69-C-1162 (1969)
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Example: DSA-100-69-C-0762 (indicates 1969)
3. DLA Numbers (Defense Logistics Agency)
The DLA system, began in 1978 until 1993, follows a simpler format:
- Example: DLA100-91-C-0450 (indicates 1991)
4. SPO Numbers (System Program Office)
From the 1994 onward, SPO numbers became more common, and these typically followed the format of SPO100-97-D-1234, where the first two digits (e.g., "97") indicate the year (1997).
Conclusion
By understanding how to read DA, DSA, DLA, and SPO numbers, you can easily identify the production year of U.S. military jackets, pants, and other gear. This knowledge not only adds value for collectors but also provides fascinating insights into the historical context of the item.
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