Transfer case question

[idiocrates]

M38A-1.........with a Dana18 transfer case and no fording system......just to the rear of the Hi/Lo and 2WD/4WD shift levers on the top of the front cap there is a breather screwed into the case. While cleaning up my case I took the breather apart to find two small metal cups stacked one on top of the other inside the breather column. Each cup had a small hole drilled in the bottom offset to one side. As I found mine the two holes were offset so that there was no straight shot into the case. I also found the breather packed full of sandy grip and oil which is why I initially took it apart to clean. My question is.........was there at one time some kind of felt or cotton packing installed in the breather to keep out the solid particles.....maybe between the cups or under the loose bottle-top looking cap? Thanks.

Jim