Created after World War II by the U.S. military to standardize the inventory numbering systems of supplies. Prior to the National Stock Number each branch of the Military adhered to their own unique numbering system. This made it difficult to locate and share supplies.
National Stock Number (NSN) is a 13-digit numeric code, identifying all the standardized material items of supply as they have been recognized by all NATO countries including United States Department of Defense (DOD).
