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M38 serial numbers

Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 12:54 am
by Apatriot
What was the starting MC serial number for M38 jeeps when first produced in 1950?
I would like to know because mine is MC 21950.
I would also like any help in finding out what the hood number was.

Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:00 am
by wesk
MC10001.

The only way to GUESS ABOUT what your hood number may have been is to try to interpolate between the serials and hood numbers listed in the data base. The problem with that is the data base is only as reliable as it's input data. I try to screen all new data base surveys to insure that any hood numbers listed are original to the jeep. This is getting harder and harder to do as more and more folks try to fudge what they thing is about the right number into the system. Since there is NO record of serial versus hood number assignments known to us today the numbers we find by sanding are our only clue.

To prevent skewering the data bases I recommend a person determine from the data base the first three or four digits of their hood number then use their jeep's serial number for the rest. This makes it obvious to the researcher 20 years from now that the hood number was a contrived number and not original to the jeep. Don't look at 20 years from now as someone else's prioblem! We are already 56 years from the DOD's of these jeeps.

In your case our survey returns indicate a hood number range 2089xxxx.
A good set up for your hood number would be 20821950.

Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:40 am
by Ryan_Miller
The serial number databases are in the Downloads section of the website.

There are also vehicle surveys you can fill out to help produce a more accurate database to help out others.

:D