Mule, the fine details

M274 Mechanical Mule Wanted, For Sale (NO AUCTION or EBAY), and Knowledge Base
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major519
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Mule, the fine details

Post by major519 » Tue Jan 20, 2015 1:59 pm

As hobbyists and restorers, often time we restore our vehicles with what we believe to be right; As an example, engines in M38A1 jeeps were green with black components right from the factory. Most restorations have every combination except correct.
Has anyone ever found documentation or devised a list of exactly how mules looked from the factory?
I know it is a huge question but I am interested to know if parts which were originally zinc dichromate plated (fuel filter body, steering column rod, bolts for attaching side rails, diaper pin for tow bar etc) were painted over or left bare?
Did the mules get a once over with top coat paint after final assembly?
This is often argued by the Jeep Police at meets etc during factory class judging.
Not that it is all that important but if a fellow were trying to do a factory class mule it sure would be...
1968 M274A5 USMC 325489
1966 M274A2 USMC 333007
1958 M274 US ARMY 2B3379
1970 M38A1 CDN3 70-08715
1981 M101CDN Manac 3/4 trailer
1984 M1009 CUCV
1943 Converto Airborne Trailer


Chuck W.
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Re: Mule, the fine details

Post by Chuck W. » Tue Jan 20, 2015 6:42 pm

Interesting question. I have one photo that appears to be a BMY factory photo of an A5, and to me, it looks as if everything is painted. I also have a few Detroit Arsenal photos of mules, and they also appear to be completely painted. I don't have any photos of the engine, other that what are found in TM 5-2805-213-14, which are all B&W, but everything appears to be one color.

What's strange is this photo carries a BMY logo, but the A5's were built by Baifield and Brunswick.....were either a division of BMY/Harsco?

The final run of 874 Brunswick Corp.-built mules seem to have had more cad plated parts than any of the other mules, and they may have left them unpainted....I just don't know, but my gut feeling is all one color.

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