Today in WW II: 16 Oct 1939 Germans counterattack in the Saar, quickly expelling the French invaders. More ↓
16 Oct 1940 Selective Service draft registration begins in the United States for approximately 16 million men.
16 Oct 1940 34 ships sunk from Convoy SC-7 and Convoy HX-79 by German submarine Wolf Pack, one of the worst attacks of the war in the Atlantic [16-19 Oct].
16 Oct 1941 Germans and Romanians march into Odessa, following the Soviet evacuation.
16 Oct 1941 Although Stalin remains in Moscow, Soviet government moves east to Kuybyshev [Samara] on the Volga River, where they remain until summer of 1943.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, Single Axle, K-38

During the 1930s through 1950s, specialized K-Series trailers of various weight capacity were fitted to carry utility poles and cable, or assist other work for the Army Signal Corps. The 1/4-ton jeep trailer adapted for cable splicing was designated "Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, K38" for Signal Corps Cable Splicers Tool Equipment TE-56. These trailers were manufactured in small numbers by at least four companies, including York Hoover Body Corp. and Highway Trailer Company.

The inside of the K-38 trailer, under a lid hinged on one side, was fitted with compartments to hold tools and parts used in the cable splicing work. A small shelf was provided at the trailer rear as a work space. A landing foot holds the trailer level when not hooked to a vehicle. The tire size is 4.00x18.

K-38 Telephone Cable Splicer Trailer Dimensions

The dimensions of the K-38 trailer, listed in TM 9-2800, are:

Length, overall: 78 in
Length, body: 42 in
Width, body: 20 in
Tread: 33 in
Height, body: 42 in
Ground clearance: 13 in
Weight, net: 410 lbs
Weight, payload: 500 lbs
Weight, gross: 910 lbs

Trailer, 1/4-ton, 2-Wheel Telephone Cable Splicer, M367 (Signal corps Model K-38A)

When the jeeps of WW II were replaced by the M38 and M38A1 models, a new version of the K-38 trailer was needed to match the characteristics of the new jeeps. The 1/4-ton, 2-wheel cargo trailer M100 was equipped with telephone cable splicing tool boxes, creating a new trailer model first called the Signal corps Model K-38A. The designation was later changed to Trailer, 1/4-ton, 2-Wheel Telephone Cable Splicer M367.

K-38 Telephone Cable Splicer Trailer Photo Gallery

Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, K-38. Reference photo from TM 9-2800, 1 Sep 1943
Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, K-38. Reference photo from TM 9-2800, 1 Sep 1943.

Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, K-38. Photo courtesy of Rich Weaver Ft. Collins, CO
Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, K-38. Photo courtesy of Rich Weaver Ft. Collins, CO.

Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, K-38. Photo courtesy of Rich Weaver Ft. Collins, CO
Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, K-38. Photo courtesy of Rich Weaver Ft. Collins, CO.

Cover latch of Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, K-38. Photo courtesy of Rich Weaver Ft. Collins, CO
Cover latch of Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, K-38. Photo courtesy of Rich Weaver Ft. Collins, CO.

Rear tool compartment of Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, K-38. Photo courtesy of Rich Weaver Ft. Collins, CO
Rear tool compartment of Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, K-38. Photo courtesy of Rich Weaver Ft. Collins, CO.

Data plate of Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, K-38. Photo courtesy of Rich Weaver Ft. Collins, CO
Data plate of Trailer, Telephone Cable Splicer, 1/4 ton, K-38. Photo courtesy of Rich Weaver Ft. Collins, CO.