I wonder if this order/contract for Jeep Dawn Winches was cancelled as the war was winding down.
On Sunday the 9th June 1945 The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Dawn had a contract for 2-ton plain bearing winches for the army for use with recovery kits on jeeps, with an anticipated further order of 1,500 units on the way.
source:
https://motofaction.org/tool-reviews...mation-coburg/
There are a fair number of these 2 Ton No.5 winches surviving. I have the smaller No.2 winch , it appears to be rated at 25 cwt, it has a few vital bits missing.... a swap meet find .
https://www.dawntools.com.au/pdf/HIS...nd_Winches.pdf
These winches have two selectable reduction ratios , you insert the handle into either the small pinion gear or directly into the larger gear.
18 'Jeep Winches' at a Disposals Commission sale 1947.