Serial number?

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 7:19 pm

Hi folks,

My 55 M38A1 serial number is 84959 according to the data tag. The question I have is, does this jeep have the same serial number as the rest of the jeeps made in May of 55, or does each jeep have a different number like the MB's etc have?

Thanks for any and all info, it is appreciated.

Chris

Post by **wesk** » Wed Jan 16, 2013 10:20 pm

It would not make any sense for Willys to build 1000 M38A1's in May 1955 and place the serial number MD84959 on all of them. If that were the case they may as well not have any serial number at all.

The earliest May 1955 M38A1 in my data base has the serial number MD84814 and the latest May 1955 M38A1 in my data base has the serial number MD85428. As you can see they did not use one serial for all May 55 A1's.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 5:40 am

Thanks Wes. I figured as much, but recently saw a M38a1 with a serial number close to mine but was built two months earlier...something in my craggy brain said did not compute, so I thought I would ask to be sure...

Thanks again,

Chris

Post by **wesk** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 10:26 am

For many reasons the production line will often side line a jeep or row of jeeps and they will fall into a different group when they finish their trip down the line. It is not uncommon.

More often the reason for a serial plate with not quite the correct month on it is caused by civilian owners making up their own dash plates because the originals were missing 20 or 30 years ago when they first bought the jeep.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 5:20 pm

All makes sense to me. Of course, having good eyesight would help too! Lol. I saw the number 82950 and my brain said, that is only a few less than my 84959....Yeah, only a few....2009.

I think I'm in need of glasses.....

Thanks again, and as always, much appreciated!!

Chris