http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_m...r/SC204868.jpg
A canvas mantlet cover was designed, and Chrysler began to install the fittings for it around October, 1944. We can only conclude that they had a problem finding a contractor to provide the actual canvas cover, as these don't appear to have been factory installed until January 1945. Also in the Fall, a cap with retaining chain was installed over the smoke mortar aperture. M4A3(76)s with just the mantlet cover fittings begin to show up in Europe in early February, 1945. The earliest period photo (above) we know of that shows the actual canvas cover installed was taken March 31, and shows an Ordnance outfit in Germany preparing to process the tank for distribution.
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_m...m_turrets.html
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_m...r/SC207612.jpg
Our final photo shows a mix of Shermans of the 736th Tank Battalion passing in review in Peine, Germany ca. May 27, 1945. In the original print, the USA Number of the M4A3(76)HVSS can be read, and it indicates that this unit was accepted at Chrysler in December 1944. No doubt the crew would have welcomed the actual canvas mantlet cover, as they appear to have been weather conscious.
