M38 history

[rob love]

There is no master list of all the M38s and their units or history. The jeep itself should yield some information however.

On the front left frame rail, about 2 or 3 inched back from the front towing shackle, there should be a number stamped in there. it should be along the lines of 52-30123. This is the army registration number. It is a shot in the dark, but keep an eye on photos of the M38s and you might spot yours. This number was also painted under the door, or occasionally on the hood. This number was known as the CAR number (Cdn army registration) and is now known as the CFR (Cdn forces registration). The M38s all started with 52 (the year of production) and then a number in the 30000 range.

The other hints at it's history will come from the various stencils and decals that lay beneath whatever paint is on the vehicle now. The army tended to use a lot of color back then, so when you find some reds or blues, note them as best you can. Paint strippers will usually only remove one layer of paint at a time to reveal the stencils...oven cleaner will do the same. Fine sandpaper will also do the job. If you are good with the sandblaster, they will also reveal the markings, but will also erase them forever just as quickly.

Markings can be found on the rear corners, as well as on the windshield frame below the glass.

If your vehicle has been previously stripped or sandblasted, then other than the CAR number on the frame, the history is gone.

There is a new booklet out recently published by service pubs. Relatively inexpensive, it gives some great information on the history of the postwar Jeeps in Canada.