I'm looking at an M38A1

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
Red
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 71
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 4:08 pm
Location:

I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Red » Fri Nov 19, 2010 9:22 am

My first post.

I'm thinking about buying an A1 located not far from me. The old jeeps are scarce arournd here and this is in decent shape. Has most all the military gear and is still in OD (well sort of and I'll get to that shortly). I'm fairly familiar with the flat fenders, but am new to the A1.

While checkng the rig out, I got the data plate #: 71522, but neglected to check the WO # on the wheel well plate (it was covered with paint). I also forgot to get the engine #, but the engine is still in OD and looks like it might be original. Same for all the running gear.

The only thing really bubba-ized are the front seats. Back seat is there with original vinyl. 12 volt conversion, but retains Autolite dist.

About that paint: the jeep has been painted an OD color on top of the original OD. And it was painted on with a brush. Now I know that sounds really bubba, but all the stencils have been re-done on top of the later paint job. That goes for the stars as well. All the placement and font type on the stencils appears correct, ie, done by the military. So, the initial question is, could that paint job be something the army would do? Would they have repainted with a brush and then re-stenciled everything? Engine compartment has only original OD in great shape, same with the dash and inside of the tub.

Also, the hood is not apparently stenciled; it appears the letters and numbers are a decal of sorts. Again, it sure looks correct, as if done by the military and the decals are sitting on top of the more recent paint job. The decal # matches the last 4 of the data plate numbers (1522).

Tires are all NDT, from 52 to 69 dated. Has some radio connections here and there. SW speedomater with 36xxx miles (speedo rim has both original and newer paint. Driveline seems solid and perhaps original- still all in OD
'54 M38A1 SN 71522 DOD 2-54 Hood # 201001152
'53 Strick M100 SN 79


Bull Run
G-Sergeant
G-Sergeant
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:15 am
Location:

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Bull Run » Sat Nov 20, 2010 7:41 am

Sounds like a great find and very original including the paint and vinyl stickers.

Red
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 71
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 4:08 pm
Location:

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Red » Sat Nov 20, 2010 10:37 am

Thanks Bull Run. But the catch is , I am not sure about the re-paint job- Cuz says it's strictly civvy and he knows far more than me. And I've never heard of the military using the stickers/decals instead of stencils. Yet another thing, the hood numbers and letters and a couple of the stars have been half-assed spray painted over with a brown paint. It should not be tough to remove that paint. I don't know, just seems an odd sequence of events as the jeep was painted, stenciled, partially sprayed over, etc. It still looks all right and I can get it looking better. It sort of has that very faded OD look to it- not a bad thing in my book. I don't plan on any restoration- just drive it around the island...

Another thing, it used to be owned by U of Idaho in the past; I've thought that they might have been responsible somehow for the paint, stenciling, etc.

I'd include a couple of pics, but am not sure of how to attach them.

John
'54 M38A1 SN 71522 DOD 2-54 Hood # 201001152
'53 Strick M100 SN 79

Cuz
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6672
Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:26 am
Location: Northwestern Wisconsin
Contact:

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Cuz » Sat Nov 20, 2010 2:02 pm

I tried to enlarge these for more detail. If you would like to see better photos John will have to send me larger file sizes about 250K in JPEG format. If I recall our conversation I said it was very unlikely the jeep was brush painted by the Army.

As for who may know how much about anything jeep it won't take long for you know who to assert his self determined superior level of knowledge here.
Rt Frt lg.JPG
Rt Frt lg.JPG (78.94 KiB) Viewed 1928 times
Rt side lg.JPG
Rt side lg.JPG (91.45 KiB) Viewed 1929 times
Cuz (AKA Wes K)
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 6? M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D & 47 T3-C

Cuz
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6672
Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:26 am
Location: Northwestern Wisconsin
Contact:

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Cuz » Sat Nov 20, 2010 2:03 pm

Here's the other two.
Rear lg.JPG
Rear lg.JPG (83.26 KiB) Viewed 1930 times
Eng lg.JPG
Eng lg.JPG (79.21 KiB) Viewed 1930 times
Cuz (AKA Wes K)
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 6? M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D & 47 T3-C

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Nov 20, 2010 3:25 pm

Quite a few brush painted M-38A1 Jeeps have been surplused in the past, possibly the spot painters got a bit carried away. That "you know who" can produce fine examples of restored 4X4 and 6X6 military vehicles that are maintained in top operational condition. Cuz appears a bit short in that department. :wink:
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Cuz
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6672
Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:26 am
Location: Northwestern Wisconsin
Contact:

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Cuz » Sat Nov 20, 2010 4:13 pm

Joel Go Pan said:That "you know who" can produce fine examples of restored 4X4 and 6X6 military vehicles that are maintained in top operational condition. Cuz appears a bit short in that department.
I got something short for ya! :P

Didn't take you long to show up here! Your little game of chasing down all the Cuz posts to add your BS to is cute. Reminds me of Li'l Tommy and his marbles!! :lol:
Cuz (AKA Wes K)
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 6? M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D & 47 T3-C

Cuz
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6672
Joined: Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:26 am
Location: Northwestern Wisconsin
Contact:

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Cuz » Sat Nov 20, 2010 4:18 pm

I find it kinda cute how you seem to vascilate with your positions on topics based on wether you are posting after me or someone else.
Joel Go Pan said: Quite a few brush painted M-38A1 Jeeps have been surplused in the past, possibly the spot painters got a bit carried away.
This from a guy who always brags on the perfect quality of the Army trained Technician that you insist you were and the perfect IAW the marking and paint regs type of technicians you claim maintained these vehicles to the perfect Army standard! :? Now you claim they were doing shoddy work! Just can't seem to make up your mind! :lol:
Cuz (AKA Wes K)
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 6? M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D & 47 T3-C

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Nov 20, 2010 5:29 pm

My M-38A1 built from NOS genuine parts had brushed on touch up marks on the underside of the Hood which came from USMC Supply Center Albany GA, and brushed on paint on a couple small places on the inner side of the NOS Spanish Army surplus windshield frame. The military calls it "spot painting" which is sometimes applied by brushing. Can you show us the present finish on your restorations?
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Bull Run
G-Sergeant
G-Sergeant
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:15 am
Location:

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Bull Run » Sat Nov 20, 2010 6:16 pm

Without looking at it in person it might be better to say that it is not beyond the realm of possibility that it is a military brushed paint job. Depending on where it was used and who owned it and under what conditions it last existed in government ownership might determine its paint finish and application method. One of my M38A1's was used by the DEA for many years and painted gold by them... with a brush! Why? Who knows... The previous owner said it was so reflective in the sun that it could be seen a mile away... which might have been the point. As far as the vinyl stickers go they became an option on vehicles in the '60's I think... my favorite is... For Official Use Only... which for one of my jeeps was many, many years ago.

Red
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 71
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 4:08 pm
Location:

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Red » Sat Nov 20, 2010 7:27 pm

Thanks to all for the efforts at trying to figure out that paint job and stenciling.

Well, I gave the guy a deposit on it and will pick it up when we get back after visiting family over T'giving. I'll take some pics with better resolution (thanks for posting those, Wes) and see if I can attach them- maybe with some help. Give it a couple of weeks.

My first car was a '46 2A as a 16 yo in '70 and my last jeep I had was a CJV35. Sold it to a restorer- it was too nice to have as a driver. I sold that in late 07, so I have been on the wagon for 3 years now. But it was just a matter of time.....
'54 M38A1 SN 71522 DOD 2-54 Hood # 201001152
'53 Strick M100 SN 79

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Nov 21, 2010 4:42 am

You have found a diamond in the rough. Vinyl numbers and stars were common in the 60's and used on repaints at the Ordnance shops, they provided a neat job. Original USA Registration on the M-38/M-38A1 were 2" and sprayed on at the factory using stencils. My M-38A1 is intact with no mods has 2" vinyl USA registration. I do have one NOS GI Issue 60's dated 20" star still sealed in the plastic envelope left over from the 1960's motorpools.
If you would like any details of an intact M-38A1 for reference on your restoration, I can help with pics of mine which is 100% stock.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Nov 21, 2010 5:57 am

Cuz wrote:I find it kinda cute how you seem to vascilate with your positions on topics based on wether you are posting after me or someone else.
Joel Go Pan said: Quite a few brush painted M-38A1 Jeeps have been surplused in the past, possibly the spot painters got a bit carried away.
This from a guy who always brags on the perfect quality of the Army trained Technician that you insist you were and the perfect IAW the marking and paint regs type of technicians you claim maintained these vehicles to the perfect Army standard! :? Now you claim they were doing shoddy work! Just can't seem to make up your mind! :lol:
Cuz, you gotta post pics of your own Jeep restorations to show us how you maintain yours. You have been 7 long years on the site and have not offered any pics of your current vehicles. Betcha can't. :wink:
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Nov 21, 2010 9:51 am

Cuz wrote:I find it kinda cute how you seem to vascilate with your positions on topics based on wether you are posting after me or someone else.
Joel Go Pan said: Quite a few brush painted M-38A1 Jeeps have been surplused in the past, possibly the spot painters got a bit carried away.
This from a guy who always brags on the perfect quality of the Army trained Technician that you insist you were and the perfect IAW the marking and paint regs type of technicians you claim maintained these vehicles to the perfect Army standard! :? Now you claim they were doing shoddy work! Just can't seem to make up your mind! :lol:
Spelled "vacillate".
No vacillation here Cuz, I believe I do pretty good at the Jeep and MV topic, 65 years and professionally trained, you know. you should not be offended by a bit of correction here to get a little misguided information back on course. Accuracy is the goal. :wink:
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

User avatar
SB5477
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 625
Joined: Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:37 am
Location: Hungary
Contact:

Re: I'm looking at an M38A1

Post by SB5477 » Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:53 am

If you would like any details of an intact M-38A1 for reference on your restoration, I can help with pics of mine which is 100% stock.
Ben, please send me pictures to see how the head of the axe and handle is fastened properly on your M38A1. I would like to see the straps closed on the head and handle and unfastened or open, so I can see the length and position of each strap. Ordered some straps, but I think they had supplyed the wrong straps.
Thanks,
Zoli


Post Reply

Return to “M38a1 Technical Knowledge Base”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 27 guests