How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Quarter-ton trailer series, Wanted, USED PARTS FOR SALE NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES., and Knowledge Base
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Greg hanson
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Greg hanson » Sun Mar 24, 2019 10:11 am

Hey Chuck

I found this number on Bantam or MBT drawbar (i dont know), is it interesting for you?

Image

Image
Last edited by Greg hanson on Mon Apr 01, 2019 10:47 am, edited 2 times in total.
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1942 Bantam for sale

Post by JimT » Fri Mar 29, 2019 11:22 am

I have had this trailer for years and was going to restore it but I am running out of time. I also don't have a WW2 Jeep to tow it so I have decided to sell it to someone who can restore it and treat it with the respect it deserves. For more information look for posts under JimT.
Price is undetermined as of yet. I'm not going to give it away but I'm also not unreasonable and will listen to offers. Your plans for the trailer may influence my price. Contact me if you are interested.

JimT
Chuck Lutz wrote:
Fri May 06, 2016 11:23 am
Hi Jim...

I checked the ACM number you provided against the USA number you posted and they certainly DO line up where they should if they were original to one another. If I add in the "5774" as the serial number it makes even MORE sense. I don't know how you got the complete USA off the rear of the trailer but it fits nice!

I would suggest you have a very original Bantam trailer that a WWII jeeper would love to have. If you aren't interested in restoring it to it's former glory, I think you would have several guys who would live to have it behind their jeep!

Here is what I think you have:
Bantam
Serial Number.......5774
DOD...................11/13/42
USA Number.........0254607

You would need period correct reflectors and inserts and correct taillight buckets, a wiring harness and a BO Light switch. Add a landing leg bracket and landing leg and get the handbrake and cable working and add that thin lunette, find some combat rims/tires and you have a winner there!

Of course a complete teardown, blasting, priming and painting will complete the resto. Heck, the chains look to be original, you have the handbrake, taillight brackets and unless the floor is like Swiss Cheese,,,,that's going to be one fine trailer.

Check the web for Robert de Ruyter in the Netherlands for the best data plates on the planet. try "dataplates4u". Just give him the serial number and DOD and he will know which plate to use and...he can stamp it with the correct fonts and spacing on the fields for you. Remember the heads of the rivets go inside the tub!

I have a new data plate from Robert de Ruyter.

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by JimT » Fri Mar 29, 2019 10:25 pm

Forgot to post link to original post about the above trailer. The original post with pictures was from 2016 but I still have the trailer. viewtopic.php?f=18&t=72809&p=1585992&hi ... T#p1585992

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Scrumps » Sun Mar 31, 2019 8:20 am

Chuck,

I’ve picked up a 1/4 ton trailer here in UK this weekend and I need your help please. It’s Ex-French army, (was US war surplus) and needs some TLC having been used as a camping trailer. I think it’s a late war MBT - but I’d appreciate your wisdom.

1. No data plate. Re-build plate but not much info. Hole pattern 3 3/4” x 2 7/8” in upper left corner of front panel.
2. Many layers of paint but not yet sanded. Original OD on drawbar so there’s a chance.
3. #113038 under left front spring hanger.
4. Upper shock mount bolted on and threaded shock pin. Lower plate cotter pin type.
5. Axle is single continuous tube.
6. 8 leaf, MB style clips fastened on bottom - identical to my’44 MB.
7. Removed by french army but holes for brackets and wiring in side runners.
8. See (7) above.
9. Nil visible.
10. Bolts removed to check (3) still had PAL nuts - appear un-disturbed and were “C” or “EC” marked.
11. See (2) above.

Any info to help with stencils or replacement data plate gratefully received.

Regards
Scrumps.
Dec '42 Willys MB
Aug ‘44 Willys MB
2021 New Defender 90 D250 HSE
2005 Landrover 90 CSW
2024 Range Rover Sport
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Chuck Lutz » Sat Apr 06, 2019 5:57 pm

Greg....send me all the answers to the "How To Identify..." on that trailer with the stampings on the drawbar. The number "0241783" would fall into a range of Sept. 1943 MBTs.


Scrumps...
You have a Bantam trailer... here is a very GOOD or better estimate of the missing data:
Serial Number..........46922
DOD......................4/7/44 (April 7th)
USA Number............0702260

Please check the axle again to be sure that it is SMOOTH or if, in fact, it has a welded seam in the middle. You would have to clean it up to find that out for sure. Also, can I get your name and city you live in for my records please?
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Scrumps » Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:12 am

Chuck,

PM sent

Scrumps
Dec '42 Willys MB
Aug ‘44 Willys MB
2021 New Defender 90 D250 HSE
2005 Landrover 90 CSW
2024 Range Rover Sport
1967 MGB
Royal Navy Weapons Engineer 1979-2007.

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Scrumps » Sun Apr 07, 2019 10:00 am

Chuck,

After some serious use of 400 grade wet & dry, and 4 thick coats of paint to get through, I’ve uncovered 0845xxx as a Serial number.

I’ll see if I can uncover the last 3 digits tonorrow

This checks out in the table on Page 370 of “Jeep” by Becker & Dentzer - but differs a lot from your number.

Confused!

Scrumps
Dec '42 Willys MB
Aug ‘44 Willys MB
2021 New Defender 90 D250 HSE
2005 Landrover 90 CSW
2024 Range Rover Sport
1967 MGB
Royal Navy Weapons Engineer 1979-2007.

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Chuck Lutz » Sun Apr 07, 2019 10:52 am

My data base is based on reported trailers information.

A trailer with an ACM number of "113xxx" would be an April 1944 range.
A trailer with a USA Number in the "0845xxx" range would be in the April 1945 range.

In other words, they don't jibe. Since you have only the "original" ACM number to go by, then it is an April 1944 production as I have given you. A repainted USA Number is not too hard to do. Re-stamping the ACM number on the tub gusset is.

Which do you want to believe has more chance of being "original"?
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Greg hanson » Sun Apr 14, 2019 10:50 am

Hi Chuck

Here is my new project, Willys MBT
I need some help for dating it.

1) Data Plate: Present but no original.
Image

2) USA Number: on pics but i dont think that is a USA number, let me know.
Image

3) ACM Number: American Central MFG.
23879 W, as you can see on pic
Image

4) Upper Shock Mount: it cotter-pin type and it RIVETED to the frame. the LOWER shock mount have a cotter-pin.
Image
Image

5) the axel have a center cast section
6) Springs: Have 8 leaves in the springs. Eight with Standard FLAT Willys type
7) Taillights & Reflectors: None
8) Taillight Mounts: Standard "L" brackets bolted to the tub but some trace of welded on.
9) Numbers: None
10) Bolts: the markings on the bolt heads on the fenders or other bolts on the trailer. (A, AA, EC)
11) Unit Numbers: None

Thanks you so much
Greg From France
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Chuck Lutz » Sun Apr 14, 2019 12:40 pm

Greg....
This MBT has the following estimated information:

Serial Number...…….16022
DOD.....………………...December 1942
USA Number..........0217520
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Greg hanson » Sun Apr 14, 2019 12:41 pm

Thank you Chuck
slowness equal accuracy, accurary equal speed !!!!!!

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Greg hanson » Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:51 pm

Chuck

I Forget to ask you for an other frame only with ACM 104796.
Image

Upper mount bolted to the frame with Cotter pin maybe an one more MBT By Willys.

Sorry dont have more.
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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Chuck Lutz » Sun Apr 14, 2019 3:54 pm

Greg.....man, you have more luck with trailer searches than anyone I know of!

ACM 1047976 could be about a Feb 1944 MBT or Bantam...remember that often the upper shock mounts that were THREADED were DRILLED I the post war era for cotter pins so you actually have to remove the shock to see if there are any threads .

Send me more on this one...
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Greg hanson » Mon Apr 15, 2019 2:22 am

Hi Chuck,

The upper mount are not drilled. I will send you tonight if i can because i dissasemble a Sherman motor.
Regards
Greg From France
slowness equal accuracy, accurary equal speed !!!!!!

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Re: How To Identify a WWII MBT or Bantam 1/4 Ton Trailer

Post by Greg hanson » Tue Apr 16, 2019 9:58 am

HI Chuck here is pics.

Regards

Greg

Image

Image
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