where do you search for jeeps service history?

Discussion topics on Willys Overland M series vehicles
Post Reply
User avatar
gorzel
Contributor
Contributor
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:00 pm
Location: St. Peters, MO

where do you search for jeeps service history?

Post by gorzel »

I was wondering where do you look to find out the service history of my jeep. I would like to know what branch used it and if it was ever sent any where. I am sure it is public domain I just don't know where to start.

thanks
Michael G.
51 M38 MC 30497 (just starting)
User avatar
OKCM38CDN
Jeep Enthusiast
Jeep Enthusiast
Posts: 530
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 6:00 pm
Location: Del City, OK

Post by OKCM38CDN »

After a US Military vehicle is sold / disposed off by the military all records for that vehicle are destroyed, thus no formal record of the vehicles history.

If you have the registration number from the hood, then it is a matter of looking thru old photos and such to see where if the jeep is in them. Old unit designations on bumpers or what not will also help.

Good luck in your search...
Hal, KB1ZQ
TSGT, USAF (Ret)
1952 M-38 CDN CAR 52-31313
1952 M-100 Strick #104
1951 Willys Wagon (For Sale)
1954 Willys M38A1 201001205
Tornado Alley
Del City, OK
User avatar
gorzel
Contributor
Contributor
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:00 pm
Location: St. Peters, MO

Post by gorzel »

bummer it is painted red and original bumpers were removed. Maybe if I carefully take the paint off I will find the hood numbers but there was a bunch of bondo on the hood to fill a rusted out spot so I will try to stay optimistic. if not I guess I will just go with an Army or Marines build. I guess I could do Navy since my dad was in the Navy.
Michael G.
51 M38 MC 30497 (just starting)
User avatar
wesk
Site Administrator
Site Administrator
Posts: 16453
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2005 6:00 pm
Location: Wisconsin
Contact:

Post by wesk »

Do you have the dash serial plate set? Post a photo of the whole set of plates on the dash.
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... _album.php
User avatar
dpcd67
Active Member
Active Member
Posts: 187
Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2016 6:00 pm
Location: Iowa

Post by dpcd67 »

I get this question all the time; the answer is, there is no way unless you find a picture of it in some unit history, or have original markings on the bumpers. Even worse with WW2 jeeps; everyone wants one used in combat, but the fact is that we didn't bring many back and that jeep was just used in training in CONUS, or worse, strictly for admin purposes.
M38 23100 June 51
M38 34523 Sep 51
M606/CJ3B 1964 Kaiser 57348 118458
M37B1 1963
Willys MB 1944
Ford GPW 1942
Dodge WC63 1943
Dodge Power Wagon WM300 1967
Plymouth Barracuda, 1973, 340 4 barrel
All ground up restored by me.
Lots of others.
Post Reply