Jeep Markings

[seiko]

hi, I have a 1951 M38 with US Army and the numbers 2392717 on each side of the bonnet, can anyone tell me the relevance of the numbers? many thanks seiko

[wesk]

Hello Seiko, The bonnet numbers here are called US Army Vehicle Registration Numbers. For each contract the Army let out for M38 production a group of registration numbers were issued with it equal in number to the requested quantity of jeeps. As the jeeps rolled off the assembly line the numbers were assigned/painted on at Willys in the order the jeeps exited the production line. Note, this is not in serial order since many times individual jeeps or small groups of jeeps were sidelined from the main production line for many different reasons and exited the final assembly point not in the correct serial order.

These registration numbers were used to track these vehicles throughout their military careers. All maintenance performed on them was documented by their registration numbers instead of their serial numbers.

Your registration number or hood number or bonnet number represents a M38 built roughly between MC18000 and MC20000.