willysmjeeps.com

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?


Photo # 1 Late light background

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

Jon

Mar 1952. You are suppose to post a photo here of your plate.

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

thanks wes i would never have guessed up high like that......frank

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.




My Jeep was built,apparently, in September of 1950. Serial number MC-10036.

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.

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

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

Thanks for solving that little mystery for me.

Steve

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

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

I have a 3-52 plate set with the servicing plate

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

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.


The dash mounted serial no. plate is:


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