Original USMC #'s or not?

Quarter-ton trailer series, Wanted, USED PARTS FOR SALE NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES., and Knowledge Base
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19OlllllllO41
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Original USMC #'s or not?

Post by 19OlllllllO41 » Tue Jan 02, 2018 3:31 pm

I recently uncovered the USMC markings and the star (one on both sides) you see in the pics below. The question is, are they real or were they just added by a previous owner of my MBT over the last 70 years? Is anyone here a USMC expert that could weigh in?
I have mixed feelings on them being orig or not.... They were only under what looks to be 1 layer of "newer" looking thinly applied OD. I find it hard to believe they would only be under 1 single layer of paint that is in really good condition after all these years. Also, from my research, USMC Jeeps and trailers never had stars on them. So the addition of the white star adds to the mystery to me. There is what looks to be USMC Green under the top layer of OD and the USMC markings. However, the yellow USMC markings are not applied perfectly in line or straight, so that makes me lean toward them being "legit" because so you see in many pics this is most often how it was done quickly in the field. If someone had done them post war, most likely they would have applied them "straighter" and more in line I assume.

The reason this issue is important to me is because my orig plan (before uncovering these markings) was to simply strip and repaint the trailer, and then mark it with a blue drab USA number Chuck estimated for me so it would match my GPW's blue drab #s. Now, if these USMC numbers are indeed real, I really would hate to lose them, and may be willing to just leave the trailer as is to show them off.

Please give me your thoughts on the originality of the USMC numbers and stars.

The trailer is a MBT, 1-43 manufacture date and SN 18901. The ACM# is 29331W.

Thanks in advance
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1941 Ford GP 16341
1942 Ford GPW 11064
1943 Willys MBT 18901
1948 Willys Pickup
1993 YJ
2005 TJ Rubicon


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Mark Tombleson
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Re: Original USMC #'s or not?

Post by Mark Tombleson » Tue Jan 02, 2018 11:02 pm

Willys-Overland had contracts for the MBT-NOM, USMC 1/4 ton trailers.

Image

Image

The markings were similar to the USMC markings on contract MB-NOM jeeps and they were forest green with yellow markings and a forest green tarp cover.
MB-NAVY-MZ-1 352625 - 07/20/44 (DOD est.)
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