USGI Contract Number Prefix Reference (Pre 2003)

Prefix	Valid Time	Note	Sample
QM	1954-1962	4 digits or long format with last two digits year number.	1954 dated M-1952A Body Armor 1960 dated M-1956 Intrenching Tool Carrier 1962 dated M-1956 Canteen Cover
DA	1950s-1961	The last two digits of contract number represented the year	1953 dated M-1951 Field Trousers Shell 1960 dated M-1956 Combat Field Pack
DSA-#	1962-1965	The last two digits of contract number represented the year. Letter might on each side of the year number.	1962 dated M-1956 (Actually M-1961 pattern) Combat Field Pack. “E” on the front of year number 1963 dated M-1961 Combat Field Pack. “E” on the rear.
DSA-#	1965	No Dating Suffix	1965 dated Mess Kit
DSA-###	1965-1966	No Dating Suffix	1966 dated M-1956 Ammunition Case
DSA-###	1966-1977	General format contract number as today	1966 dated Sunburn-preventive cream paste, this contract format was not common in 1966, but really existed. 1968 dated M-1967 Compass/First Aid Dressing Case
DLA-###	1977-1994	General format contract number as today	1979 dated Air Force HGU-18/P Hat
SPO-###	1994-2003	General format contract number as today	1996 dated CFP-90 Patrol Pack