M38 Patent Plates

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wesk
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M38 Patent Plates

Post by wesk »

There seems to be more and more evidence that there were two different patent plates used during M38 production. These seem to be an early version with dark background and maybe brass material and the later version with light background and aluminum material.

I would like to ask each owner out here to help us nail this down by answering these questions in a private email to me at wsknettl@centurytel.net and those of you with digital cameras I would ask you to email me detailed (readable) up close photos of each patent and dash plate on your jeep.

1-What is the serial number of your jeep?
2-What is the date of delivery of your jeep? (this is on the dash serial plate)
3-What color is the background of your patent plate black or very light?
4-What are the patent numbers listed on your patent plate?
5-Which of the two data plates photographed here best match yours?

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Photo # 1 Late light background

Image
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. ... _album.php
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ymcapooch
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Post by ymcapooch »

Hi found on my M38 serial number 60369 says MC on tag can anyone help ID DOD etc.

Jon
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wesk
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Post by wesk »

Mar 1952. You are suppose to post a photo here of your plate.
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. ... _album.php
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moneypit
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Post by moneypit »

wes, i just got a repro patent plate from army jeep parts. all the pics i see here are too close to the plate to tell exactly where the plate goes. i can't even see where the old screw holes were. any pics or dimensions you could give me? thanks,........frank
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wesk
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Post by wesk »

Image
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. ... _album.php
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moneypit
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Post by moneypit »

thanks wes i would never have guessed up high like that......frank
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bubagun
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Post by bubagun »

Here's an image of my M-38's, original patent plate. I replaced it with a repo. And re-ingraved all of the serial numbers right onto the new one in a perfect match.

Image


My Jeep was built,apparently, in September of 1950. Serial number MC-10036.
Last edited by bubagun on Tue May 10, 2011 5:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.
1950-M38, 1952-M38, 1964 M151A1, Mechanical Mule, 1945 CCKW,M100 trailer, M416 trailer.
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deebee
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Post by deebee »

My serial number is MC 12401
Date of delivery - 1951 is all the plate shows
Patent plate color - Faded but appears to be dark
Patent Numbers - Illegible
Same as picture #2 with Willys Overland at the top.
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Tracer
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Post by Tracer »

s/n

F - 101288

d/d

7-9-52

plate colour

brass

patent plate

missing

contract no.

E-20 LV7 742 ARMY

ordnance code no.

2230

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wesk
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Post by wesk »

Tracer,
Thanks for posting your data plates. The CDN's did not come with patent plates. The four screw holes came empty.
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. ... _album.php
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Tracer
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Post by Tracer »

Thanks for solving that little mystery for me.

Steve
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Post by north-shore »

Hi,
Ont my data plate i don't ave the sercvice data truck utility 1/4 ton 4x4 M38 CDN plate and look like it was never install :?: My data plate is the erlay one feb 52 is that the reason :?:
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Post by wesk »

Possibly it was removed when the change was made to the tire pressures.

I have a 3-52 plate set with the servicing plate
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. ... _album.php
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Post by north-shore »

wesk wrote:Possibly it was removed when the change was made to the tire pressures.

I have a 3-52 plate set with the servicing plate
Hi Wesk,
Here the pic of my data plate 13-2-52
Image
Image
Image
Last edited by north-shore on Thu Apr 28, 2011 1:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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STXM38A1
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Post by STXM38A1 »

Hello Wes:

This is in regard to M38A1 plates.

The wheelhouse WO serial no. plate from this vehicle is the same format/type of plate in your picture showing the proper location for a wheeelhouse plate. I haven't been able to ascertain any legible stamped or engraved serial # from this plate.
Image

The dash mounted serial no. plate is:
Image

Is this the correct "style" of wheelhouse tag for a M38A1 serial # 78343, DOD 12/54? Assuming the DASH plate is correct for this vehicle, what would have been stamped in the Serial No. block on the wheelhouse plate? MD78343; or MD 78343 {space between D & 7}; or just 78343; or ????????.

Also, the dash plate has a spot for an "ORD. SER. NO." in between the Ordnance Stock No. line and the Manufactured By line. What should appear for the Ordnance Serial Number? I can't see any evidence anything was ever stamped in the ORD. SER. NO. box on this dash plate.

Thanks,
Warren
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