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Have a very original M170 Ambulance we picked up. We are are building it for the Sam Werner Military Museum. Started on the body today and noticed it has a nine digit registration number on the hood. It is the original 3" decals originally applied by the military. It has been painted over several times. It also has a 12" star applied almost on the very front tip of the hood. Kind of an odd place but have seen this before. The number reads as: US Army 201002371. One of the bumperetts has 101AB which is easy enough to figure out and there are air drop shackles in the bed. It has the center of gravity (CG) marking in the door way as well. If this helps with anything.
Any ideas on the 9 digit number would be a great help in this restoration. Actually any info on an air drop M170 would be great as well.

There is no way to accurately estimate if that reg # is correct for your M170 without knowing your M170's Serial & Date of Delivery.

SN 13504 DOD 4/62

In my database, info around M170 13504 is spotty but there is a vague pattern. Mixed in with the USA M170s are some USMC M170s. The USA registration numbers above your M170 start with 1H 3XXX. The last 3 digits are from low to high and in no particular order. M170 13403 2/62 has registration number USA 1H 4191 which is the last 1H XXXX registration number I have listed. Shortly after the USA M170s start using 2B XXXX registration numbers. From what little information I have I would venture a guess the hood on your M170 has been switch from about a 3/54 M38A1.

In keeping with what Wes has suggested when coming up with a Registration number by using the last 3 or four digits of your serial number, I would suggest using.....

USA 1H 3504 which is almost the serial number or
USA 1H 4504

Either is most likely closer that we may ever know.

Thanks Harold.

Notice the very nice, friendly comfortable ring you get when using an actual name rather than a handle!

WCFR4, The reason we try to keep the as much of the serial number in the derived (invented) registration number is so it will be obvious in the future when a researcher comes across the number that since it contains most of the jeeps serial it is most likely a contrived number so your registration number won't skewer the researchers listings.

Hi Matt!
Glad to see you here!

<<< When I first joined this outfit, it took me quite a while to figure out that G740 is MWM. This one was easier. >>>

I very much appreciate that you gentlemen participate in these forums when you can. Priceless!

Just for my general education, what year did the Army switch from the 7- and 8-digit hood registration numbering scheme for jeeps (ex: 20xxxxxx) to the number-letter xxxx (ex: 1H 3504) scheme?

Did they also change from "U.S.A." to "U. S. Army" above it at the same time?

You skipped the 9 digit #'s. If you look at the data bases it becomes quite obvious.

7 to 8 digits: May 1951

8 to 9 digits: Jan 1954

9 digits to 5 digits with 2nd pos the letter A. Jun 1954.

Check the vehicle marking regulations & manuals for the switch from USA to US Army.

Thanks Wes!

I beg your pardon. I'm still a rookie. I guess I missed them --- can you please give me a pointer to the database(s) of serial numbers?

NEVER MIND----------found them!

M38A1 database seems to be M.I.A.

M38A1/M170 database is pretty slim on information......and dated 2004 last update?

Maybe just the old hats recall Scott's M38A1 data base on his Texas web site. Most of us copied it.

I don't get much of a chance to update the old databases because I spend so much time showing folks where to find stuff on our web site or researching the manuals for them!

Harold, I still have another tote box full of DRMO Auction Books I haven't even got into yet. They are full of those M38 and M38A1 hood and serial numbers. When I have time I will try to get into them for you. Matt

Matt & Harold, Can either of you share that info with our web site as well?

Harold, Wes, anyone out there who can help. I need three brackets to complete this project for Buds (Sam Werner) Museum. Looking for the A looking bracket behind the drivers seat for the stretcher handle, the parking brake bracket that attaches to the floor, and the little Hoop bracket next to the pass seat. Also any dimensions on the floor rails for the litter to slide into. I can make them.

Matt has been copying them and sending to me, and I’ve been compiling a database.