Help needed on a serial number

Brinken · Post by **Brinken** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 10:40 am

Hello, this is my first post on this forum.
I am aiming to buy a jeep from my late brother in law, it is my sister selling it. I live in Sweden and this vehicle came to Sweden in the late 80th as surplus along with many other jeeps. This item never got registered in Sweden, and if I shall be able to ride it in the streets I must get it registered.

I only know the serial number 57048-10 11224, and I learned during my Internet searches that 57048 is a fire Engine. This fits with the orange colour underneath som other paint layers. But I can't find any information about the suffix 10, and nothing about the individual number 11224.

To be able to register the jeep in Sweden I need the background information date and year of manufacture, where it is manufactured and of course the model type. It seems to be a M38A1, or maybe a M606A1 as it got 12 volt electrical system.

The romours say that this item did active service in Kuwait, but you never know.

Can any of you guys help me out? I would be very greatful.
Regards
Jan-Olof in southern Sweden

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 11:23 am

Welcome to the site.
Where are you pulling these numbers from? Post some pics to let us see what you have.
An M38a1 in Kuwait, probably not but what do I know.

Looking at the M38a1 serial data base on here, I found a MD57048 but no real info other than the #. Does your # have a MD preceding it?

Brett

Brinken · Post by **Brinken** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 12:04 pm

Brett
The numbers come from the patent plate on the wheel house behind the passenger seat. They had to brake it away and read from the backside the stamped figures.
The vehicle have all the significant outlooks to be a M38A1, but it comes with a 12 volt system, which the M606A1 also have, this I learned from searches on the Internet. I suppose there are some jeeps assambled in the far east as well.
I will immediately learn how to upload pics and will reply asap.
Jan-Olof

Brinken · Post by **Brinken** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 12:27 pm

Brett
It seems to me that it is not easy the let over Pictures on this site. As far as a see I have to establish a gallery but first ask for permission from adm.

Can you teach me a simplier way of letting you see my pics?
Jan-Olof

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:29 pm

Jan-Olof,
The Guardians of the Gate here are very agreeable to and encourage
folks to post information and photos. It helps all of us in the
long run.

You have asked for a photo page in a roundabout way,
but I suspect links and information are forthcoming.

I know several of us are looking forward to your photos.

Welcome!

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:58 pm

Well, well, well,

Some information from a post by Wes on the G503 site:
"The Saudi government imported the M38A1 in 6 volt as well and their serials were formatted 57048-10 11XXX..."

Looks like there is a very real possibility your M38a1 saw
service in Kuwait with the Saudis, and somewhere in the
process was converted from 6 volts to 12.

Very neat find. Congratulations!

Brinken · Post by **Brinken** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:24 pm

This is actual a step forward, the last two weeks all my steps have been backwards. Thanks Brian.

I have been in contact with all possible authorities here is Sweden in search of a registration number connected to the serial number. I have been told that during the customs process (which was in 1987) the vehicle is given a registration number and all data on the vehicle is registered, but if you don't collect these number plates within 5 years, the registration is falling outside the system.

Do you Think there is a possibility to date this vechicle as well?

Next: I am a Little unfamiliar to some of the expressions on this site, and need some guidance to establish a photo gallery, can I get some help please

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 3:53 pm

Post a request here for a photo site:
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... wforum&f=9

The information regarding the Saudi purchases is all that is listed
as I posted above.

We can hope that someone with information on this series
of M38A1's will chime in with not only delivery dates but
additional information as well.

Take care,

Brinken · Post by **Brinken** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 4:07 pm

Thanks very much Brian.
Time have just passed 11 pm here in Sweden and it is bed time for me. See you tomorrow (maybe)

Brinken · Post by **Brinken** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 5:35 pm

Hey guys
Now my photo album is created, and so far the last one in the gallery. Please have a look and hopefully you can come up with some new clues for me.

Now it is 30 minutes past midnight in Sweden and sleeping time is passed long ago.
//Brinken

Brinken · Post by **Brinken** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 5:40 pm

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 6:06 pm

That is a very nice jeep Jan-Olof.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 8:26 pm

You have an M38A1.

the serial number 57048-10 11224 57048-10 is the prefix for the 6 volt units built for Saudi Arabia with 11224 being a 60 or 61 unit.

Jan-Olof can you post a closeup photo of your jeep's patent plate?
It will be behind the passenger seat on the front end of the right rear wheel house and look like this one:

Some observations:

1-Late style top bow forward bracket
2-Late frame.
3-Late Grill.
4-Cowl battery box lid spot welded on. This would be true on an Egyptian contract 1956.
5-Added battery tray on right front frame rail sized for the standard 6 volt battery found on the Saudi & Egyptian units in the early 60's.
6-Late fender.

This document is a Willys/Kaiser factory document listing M38A1 exports posted by Keith Buckley. This section of the document represents units shipped in 1963. However in the post that Keith made he indicated that the serials started at 57048-10 11401 in 1962.

Note:
57048-08 prefixes were 6 V units to Egypt
57048-10 prefixes were 6 V units to Saudi
57048-17 prefixes were 12 V units to kuwait

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 8:45 pm

Egypt or Saudi Arabia Wes?

Your post on the G mentions Saudi.

Brinken · Post by **Brinken** » Thu Nov 12, 2015 3:29 am

Hi guys
Thanks for all interesing information, but these answers now create new questions from me:

1. Yes of course I will arrange a pic on the patent plate, but the vehicle (and my sister) is 650 kilometers away from me. I have asked her to take pics of the plate and email me. Would probobly be done during the weekend.

2. Am I correct in my opinion that 57048 stands for a fire Engine? The orange colour of "my" specimin might prove this opinion.

3. I am now convienced that it from the beginning were a 6 volt item, being converted to 12 volt along the road, because the spark plug cords are civilian and the high voltage coil is of a new brand.

4. The 57048-10 indicates it was exported to Saudi, but in the list you provided it says that serial number 11701 and up is Saudi, and mine have 11224.

5. And you are Writing that Keith said Saudi export started 1962 with serial number 11401. All this make me more confused than enlightened. Sorry about that.

6. You mention in your list above: Late style bow bracket, frame, fender and grill. How are you dating late and early? Do you mean late as beginning of 60th?

//Jan-Olof