Uncovered my M38A1 Hood Numbers

Mike_B · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 1:32 am Post subject: Uncovered my M38A1 Hood Numbers

I took a window scraper razor blade to the hood paint and uncovered the hood numbers. Turns out my 1953 M38A1 Brush Truck was originally in the Navy...

USN
94-17444
(OD body with Black numbers)

So, what does that mean to you guys in the know?

Thanks,

Mike B Smile

_________________
Mike B
1953 M38A1 Brush Truck
1952 M38
1951 M100 Trailer

4x4M38 · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 7:58 am Post subject:

It means you are lucky!
_________________
Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

Bobber · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 7:01 pm Post subject:

I couldn't recovery my numbers. You are lucky. I had use my serial numbers with an added prefix. 23829845
_________________
Rusty, 1952 M38, Koenig hard top.

w30bob · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 9:00 pm Post subject:

I've never seen a 50's era Navy vehicle painted OD with black lettering. What's the significance of that color combo?

Regards,
Bob

Mike_B · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 9:57 pm Post subject:

Bob,

I have no idea about any of this as I'm completely new at all of the MV stuff.
But, you're close enough to come see it in person if you want, I'm in Hughesville...

Mike B Smile

_________________
Mike B
1953 M38A1 Brush Truck
1952 M38
1951 M100 Trailer

w30bob · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 8:27 am Post subject:

Hi Mike!

I wasn't expecting you to know.........but the guys on here are an incredible source of knowledge on these vehicles.......and I'm sure they'll be able to let us know. I didn't think the military started using black paint for registration numbers (or stars or anything painted on the OD vehicles) until the 80's.......but I'm a newbie just like you.

Hugesville? That's cool...........I'm down in Great Mills...off of Flat Iron. Maybe after the Holidays I'll get in touch and come see your new ride. Or if you know you'll be down this way just let me know and I'll show you my junk........errrr I mean jeep!

regards,
bob

wesk · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 9:32 am Post subject:

The M38A1 survived in limited numbers in the military up into the 90's. So it is entirely possible an active or reserve Navy unit possessed the jeep in the 80's and repainted it green with black lettering. I retired in 1989 and still saw M38A1's from the various services showing up at the regional DRMO sales. My M37 was surplussed from the Navy Reserves at Duluth MN in the early 90's.
_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

RonD2 · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 10:47 am Post subject:

...
_________________
Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51

“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari

Mike_B · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:47 am Post subject:

Thanks Bob, I look forward to meeting you and showing off my junk as well. I'm retired so can be available almost anytime.

I'm not real good with computers/pictures as I never figured out how to size them...I'll get with one of my kids to have them help me get pictures loaded.

I'm pretty sure the OD is the first layer of paint as it won't come off with the razor blade.

Some history going backwards...I got the Jeep from a man that bought it as a two jeep package on eBay in 2000. The fire compamy he got them from (Huntingtown, MD) had aquired it from Hughesville, MD, a neighboring fire company. I don't have any good info as to how long Hughesville had it or when they gave it to Huntingtown, but it is rumored to have come for the Forest Service (unconfirmed).

Is there any other locations other than the bumpers (which were replaced) that could have Navy markings? Was the top of the hood marked?

Mike B Smile

_________________
Mike B
1953 M38A1 Brush Truck
1952 M38
1951 M100 Trailer

w30bob · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 1:39 pm Post subject:

Mike,

Just a thought here........Fire Companies are usually pretty proud of their vehicles. Many have websites with photo albums and they always seem to document their rides pretty well. Since Hughesville is so close to you......you might just want to pop in one afternoon and speak to the Fire Chief. They may have more info on your jeep than you know.

I'll PM you with my contact info and we can get together.

regards,
bob

Mike_B · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 2:52 pm Post subject:

Thanks Bob,

I have reached out to Hughesville VFD, just need to get the right guy to help. The guy I talked to a few weeks ago is a 30 year member and remembers driving the Jeep a lot. He said they nick named it "Stump Jumper"! Their web site doesn't have pictures of their old units...

I do have a copy of the Jeep picture from the VFD's wall of fame...

Mike B Smile

_________________
Mike B
1953 M38A1 Brush Truck
1952 M38
1951 M100 Trailer

Mike_B · Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 11:12 pm Post subject:

Here's a picture of my hood numbers...

Mike B

Here's the tutorial for posting your photos:
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=8670
_________________
Mike B
1953 M38A1 Brush Truck
1952 M38
1951 M100 Trailer

45auto · Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 10:03 pm Post subject:

Mike,
Interesting--I have M38A1 64637 11/53 listed in the database as a Navy A1. It is stamped Navy on the data plate.
On your Responsible Agency data plate, is it stamped Navy Dept?
_________________
Harold W.
MVPA #6833
1945 GPW
1950 CJV-35/U
1951 M38 1952 M38
1962 USMC Contract M38A1
1953 Strick M100 1967 Johnson M416
1968 CJ5 4-Speed 1969 CJ5 V6

Mike_B · Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 11:53 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately the fire department removed the data plates to install a FM Radio, so I can't answer that question. I'm trying to find someone to help with info from the fire depoartment to see if they might still have a folder in a drawer somewhere that migh have the plate in it, it's a long shot, but you never know!

Are/were your numbers black over OD also?

Mike B Smile

_________________
Mike B
1953 M38A1 Brush Truck
1952 M38
1951 M100 Trailer

45auto · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 12:08 am Post subject:

This M38A1 was listed for sale on eBay and there were no hood numbers--however, there was a picture of the data plate where Navy Dept. was stamped on the plate.
Of note, within the database, there are many USMC M38A1's listed above and below your Navy A1. There are few Navy (as stamped on the data plate) M38A1's. The few I have seen came from the Seebees. It is well worth tracking down your A1 pedigree. If you want to look for a Seebee logo, you can look just foward of the door opening and on the rear quater panel.
_________________
Harold W.
MVPA #6833
1945 GPW
1950 CJV-35/U
1951 M38 1952 M38
1962 USMC Contract M38A1
1953 Strick M100 1967 Johnson M416
1968 CJ5 4-Speed 1969 CJ5 V6


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