Original Item: Only One Available. This is a spectacular first aid kit which was repurposed from being a gas casualties kit to a “12 Unit Kit”. This was not an uncommon occurrence, especially with the quick entry into the Korean War. As modern warfare drifted further away from mass gas attacks on the battlefield, the casualty kits for gas attacks were often repurposed on an “as needed” basis. The bottom portion of the kit has a visible change in color which covered up the FOR GAS CASUALTIES ONLY marking.

In order to offer the best possible first response treatment in the event of a crash or injury involving the vehicle or its passengers, the United States Army Medical Department introduced a series of Motor Vehicle First-Aid Kits. These kits were specifically designed for certain vehicles, and this reflected in their contents. Each kit was divided into units, each of which was individually packaged within the metal container, and these included basic gauze dressings, tourniquets, scissors, along with drugs and medication such as Ammonia and Iodine. Morphine Tartrate Syrettes (½ grain) could be added to this kit upon the direction of the commanding officer when the military circumstances indicated its need.

The transportable metal container (Item # 9777300) which is 9776400 on this example, was usually stashed away in a holding bracket, centrally located under the vehicle’s dashboard (1/4-Ton Truck, aka Jeep). This rectangular shaped container was provided with a single carrying handle and closed with 2 sets of two clips. Its cover held a paper contents list, glued underneath the lid, illustrating where each unit should be placed in the container, as well as some directions and recommendations related to First-Aid treatment. The complete Kit’s Item No. changed from 97773 (between mid-1943 and early 1944) to 9777300 (after 1 March 1944). It once again changed in 1947, following the standardization of both Army and Navy Stock Numbers, to Stock No. 9-221-200 (Army-Navy Catalog of Medical Materiel – 1 July 1947) and further kept the same number in 1949 (Armed Services Catalog of Medical Materiel, 1 July 1949). Stock No. 9-221-200 was gradually phased out during the 1950s, and replaced by First Aid Kit, General Purpose, 12 Unit, now identified as FSN 6545-922-1200 (FSN: Federal Stock Number).

The 12-Unit Kit’s contents did not undergo many changes during WW2. In spring of 1943, it still contained 6 sterile Individual Double Wrapped Envelopes of Sulfanilamide (5 grams) with Shaker Top, which disappeared early 1944. At the same time, the older 2 Burn Injury Sets were replaced by an improved version containing a more effective Ointment. Course of 1945, all former White bandage material was equally replaced by a less conspicuous Field Brown version.

The contents of this kit are complete and comply with the “Instructions and Contents” label on the interior lid.

Contents Include:
- (2) SPOOLS ADHESIVE TAPE
- (2) ADHESIVE COMPRESS
- (2) 2 IN. BANDAGE COMPRESS
- (2) 4 IN. BANDAGE COMPRESS
- (1) AMMONIA AMPOULES
- (1) BURN TREATMENT
- (1) IODINE APPLICATORS
- (1) AMMONIA INHALANTS
- (1) TOURNIQUET
- (1) STERILE PADS

Comes more than ready for display.

Idiot Clause - the contents of this kit are pre-1945 manufacture and are NOT suitable for use. They are being sold as novelty collector pieces only.