Explanation of letter prefix and nsns of UK badges

[didithevan]

Saw some conversation on stock numbers and though I might add some detail to clear up and explain some questions about badge stock numbers. This rose out a question about what the CB prefix meant.
The CB letters referred to the UK internal depot catalogue system and was a prefix to the NSN. For instance clothing tended to sit under the KA-KC class, Tools under F1-F3 and badges CA-CB etc. They could be an alphanumeric mix. To break a code down is as follows:
Initial letters - internal UK depot catalogue letters (hence all badge will be CB or CA)
NSN
First four numbers - the same thing but as a NATO standard, so a spanner for instance, might have its first four numbers as 5140
Next two numbers - refer to the country of maufacture. UK is 99, USA is 00 etc
Next three numbers - focus in on the classicifaction, with a spanner for instance, 914 might be a open spanner, 915 a ring spanner
Last four - the unique item identifier
Put together you get a unique code that also describes the item, a bit like HAZMAT codes!
This is why you will see most badges tend to have similar if not identical numbers up to the last four as they are all in the same general class
And that is how you get a UK NSN such as CB 8455-99-973-9412, a Lancs Fus might well have been therefore CB 8455-99-973-8081 based on Stephen’s post awhile ago about the subject.

Hope that clears it up!!
Stu

[54Bty]

Also this thread may help.

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...highlight=nato

[Mike_2817]

Not so much an internal depot code, but more of a control section within purchasing and stock control and dates beck to 'Domestic Stock Coding' where CB 0096 was a Large Worsted Crown, but could also be (for example) G1 0096 Screw ¼" Whitworth!

Unlike the old 'Domestic Coding' the NSN does not need the Prefix to ID the item.

Catalogues have changed names over the years, but having a group classification such as CB aids in its listings & identification.

c1949 to 1973 Catalogue of Clothing & Necessaries (CCN) came in sections - Section CB being Army Badges & Buttons.

c1987 Catalogue of Ordnance Stores & Ammunition

c2005 Defence Clothing Catalogue (JSP768) - DMC CB = Tri-Service Badges and Buttons

You rarely see packaging these days showing the Prefix (CB) only the NSN & DofQ to aid issuing (yes some packages show much more, plus the use of bar codes)

Current 'Clothing Control' Sections are;