17pdr SP M10 1c

[carl brown]

Hi

I am about to undertake the restoration of a 17 Pdr M10 1c and want to try and source/find out any history or information on it.

In the past it was one of Harry Pounds scrap yard M 10's and ended up being converted into a childrens playground climbing toy in the 70's or possibly 80's and I believe it ended up in Lincolnshire somewhere.

The vehicles serial number is 1310 and it has been established that it was built by Fisher Body at the Grand Blanc (Michigan) Tank Arsenal in March, 1943. It would have been assigned USA 4042014.

My problem is it has been sandblasted in the distant past and any painted markings or S numbers have long gone. I want to try to ascertain its WD number.

Can anyone come up with any suggestions as to what or where to go ?

In its favour it is an early build M 10 with early V turret. It also has welded on the back fixing brackets for what I believe are the curved skid rails that protected the wading trunking from being damaged as it exited a landing craft.

I am not sure how many early 1c vehicles were built but when looking at pictures you hardly ever see early pattern vehicles.

Any help greatfully received.

Carl