M38A1 CDN in goat pasture

[TonyRoper]

I saw an example of frame horn stamping that doesn't look as if it got much past the paint. That number may be long gone.

The data plate is very damaged, presumably from sandblasting. I have been trying ink and polish to get some contrast out of the numbers but results have not been encouraging.

I think the serial number may be 20065x. Is there anyone skilled at reading the damaged plates that I can send this to?

Edit: Got out a *good* camera with an ED macro lens and took a bunch of photos using different light and angles.
I am about 85% convinced the last digit is an 8, making the serial F-200658. Will that get me any closer to a service number?

Thanks - Tony

[Frank v R]

try using paint and 3M pad lightly on the frame , even in the photo looks like it is there,

[TonyRoper]

Originally Posted by Frank v R

try using paint and 3M pad lightly on the frame , even in the photo looks like it is there,

Thanks for the call and input yesterday. I hit the frame horn with some flat black and am letting it dry. I'm not optimistic looking at the area. On the underside of the bumper where contact is made with the frame rails, there is a 1-2mm deposit of pitted, crystallized rust.

On a semi-productive note, I did a little exploratory work on the passenger door area and found the edge of the dog dish. It was under about 9mm of filler and had been welded over. About then, my cordless tool ran out of juice. I'll return to the area with a respirator, grinder and flap wheel and lose 30 pounds of filler.

[Wayne Hingley]

Originally Posted by TonyRoper

...It was under about 9mm of filler and had been welded over. About then, my cordless tool ran out of juice. I'll return to the area with a respirator, grinder and flap wheel and lose 30 pounds of filler.

That's a lot of filler Tony! I found using a heat gun and a scraper was a good way to get old filler off (in large chunks). If you want to save on making 30lbs of dust, that might be an option. Who knows what treasure you will find hidden in that save receptacle dish.

Hopefully the paint and 3M pad works for the CFR number. Frank obviously has better eyes than me, because I don't see it...haha.

[TonyRoper]

Doesn't look too good so far. I took a couple of high resolution photos of the frame horn. First is the frame horn, second is the area on the bumper that was in contact, flipped horizontally to make any numerals readable.

Frame Horn

Inside of Bumper

[Frank v R]

if this doesn't work , last thing you can do is what the cops do on guns to get the serial numbers up after they have been ground down , from what I hear it works most of the time, if there is nothing it may be RCAF,

[TonyRoper]

I'll check around and see if I can get my hands on some nital etchant. Some part of me is beginning to think I have a Ford M38A1 CDN body stuck on a Willys M38A1 frame. A fellow on another board indicated the serial number on my title may belong to a Willys, manufactured September 1953.