willysmjeeps.com

The Marine contracts in the 60's came with posi's, undercoating, full fording/vent system, the M151 style air cleaner and instrument cluster, the special lift shackle setup, data plates on the dash showed the USMC contract number at the bottom of the serial plate and the responsible agency plate had USMC for both procurement and depot maintenance.

M38A1's that the Marines accepted from the Army in 1960 thru 62 were updated with most of the above when they went thru the depots at Barstow or Albany. When the big switch to the M151 started in 60 the Marines decided against the M151 and insisted on keeping their M38A1 and scrounged just about all the M38A1's turned into the area DRMO's by the other services.

Wes:

Thanks for more good information. The paragraph about DRMO pickups explains the 08.10.1959 dated rebuild plate, as well as the undercoating over the Strata Blue. Mine had no shackles when I bought it. I will have to take another look at the other pieces. Thanks much. This has really turned into a fun investigation, as opposed to a straight resto. Thanks again to you and the others for the info. I will continue to post photos, as the evidence of it's "blue" phase may still be of use to others.

Have a good one.
Dave

When I pulled the jerry can carrier off, lo and behold, it looks like the USMC paint job was put on with a brush and they brush was just pushed in behind the carrier.