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
Post Reply
User avatar
cripp
G-Lieutenant Colonel
G-Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1199
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2005 2:29 pm
Location: Kent, England
Contact:

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

Post by cripp » Thu Aug 30, 2018 11:53 pm

Chuck Lutz wrote:
Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:36 pm
Paul...

I just don't have any Bantam's with ACM numbers close to this one so this is only a fair estimate of the missing info.

Bantam
Serial Number...….41788
DOD...………………...1-11-44 (Jan 11)
USA Number...…….0457321

That's the best I can do...I wish more guys who have trailer projects or who have them finished would send me the data plate pic and the ACM number pic and if they have an original or partial original USA number....I could tidy up many of these estimates.!
Thanks for taking the time to do this. As you say it's a pity more people don't send you the info.
Paul

MB213146
06-45 Gemco Trailer.


http://www.g503.be


User avatar
zepher11
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 4355
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2011 7:37 pm
Location: The Real Northern CalifornIA

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

Post by zepher11 » Mon Sep 03, 2018 5:10 pm

zepher11 wrote:
Thu Jul 19, 2018 8:10 pm
Obviously, something went awry with my chain set up. I bought these quite a while ago as MBT trailer chains. They seem a tad short unless I only drive in a straight line. Back to the drawing board so to speak:

Image
Well, finally had some time to day to lengthen my chains on the MBT. The repo. chains I had were 9 links and then two larger ones on each end for a total of 11 links. Not long enough as noted in the photo above. I was going to add five additional links, but then at the last moment knocked one out and went with four additional links.

I did this primarily so that the chains would hang and not rub on the ground. A little cutting, heating, bending and welding. Turned out okay, but ran out of time to check for fit and feel when connected to the eye bolts on a vehicle. They should be a little better I hope:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Now I have two long chain links on each end and thirteen smaller links on the interiror. Have a show next week, so should find out how it fits when I tow down for that event.
Zeph

'42 Script GPW Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

'41 Dodge WC16 Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

User avatar
Chuck Lutz
Gee Addict
Posts: 26829
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Jeep Heaven

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

Post by Chuck Lutz » Thu Sep 06, 2018 4:12 pm

Zeph....

Your chains seemed to have shorter lengths and the BIG one at each end was missing. The photo below showed a factory MBT and the chains hang just above the ground....which is how yours do after adding links....
Willys Factory Photo.jpg
Willys Factory Photo.jpg (42.3 KiB) Viewed 3593 times
Chuck Lutz

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

User avatar
zepher11
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 4355
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2011 7:37 pm
Location: The Real Northern CalifornIA

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

Post by zepher11 » Thu Sep 06, 2018 7:56 pm

Chuck Lutz wrote:
Thu Sep 06, 2018 4:12 pm
Zeph....

Your chains seemed to have shorter lengths and the BIG one at each end was missing. The photo below showed a factory MBT and the chains hang just above the ground....which is how yours do after adding links....

Willys Factory Photo.jpg
Yes. I wish I could recall where I bought these reproduction MBT chains. It's kinda funny in that the end links are larger than the interior links like the originals. However, all of the links are not super-sized, but small-sized. They look the part until put into use. I haven't looked for a correct set yet, but was going to tow it to a car show Saturday and thought I better make sure the chains would work as intended.
Zeph

'42 Script GPW Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

'41 Dodge WC16 Restoration Thread: CLICK HERE!

Espen68
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2018 2:07 pm
Location: Norway
Contact:

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

Post by Espen68 » Sun Nov 25, 2018 4:10 am

Hi I just bought a 1/4 ton trailer, I was told that it was a 1943 Bantam but I think it is a MBT, can you please help me with the ID

1. Data plate - missing
2. USA number - missing
3. ACM number - 52194
4. Upper shock mount - cotter-pin mount bolted to the frame
4.b Lower shock mount - cotter-pin type
5. Axel: solid, no weld in the middle
6. Springs - 10 leaves
7. Tail lights mounts bolt holes (missing brackets)
9. No unit numbers
10. No bolt markings so far, one of the bolts on the front left spring mount was marked with a A
On the front top left frame rail it is stamped 32036
Attachments
IMG_0624.jpg
IMG_0624.jpg (200.93 KiB) Viewed 3466 times
IMG_0625.jpg
IMG_0625.jpg (174.23 KiB) Viewed 3466 times
IMG_0628.jpg
IMG_0628.jpg (161.73 KiB) Viewed 3466 times
Last edited by Espen68 on Sun Nov 25, 2018 6:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
44 MB 324926
43 MBT 30970 USA 0231057 (Est)

Espen68
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2018 2:07 pm
Location: Norway
Contact:

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

Post by Espen68 » Sun Nov 25, 2018 4:43 am

And is my chains and hooks original ? 10 short and 1 long at the hook
Attachments
IMG_0632.jpg
IMG_0632.jpg (137.73 KiB) Viewed 3466 times
IMG_0630.jpg
IMG_0630.jpg (132.88 KiB) Viewed 3466 times
IMG_0629.jpg
IMG_0629.jpg (185.06 KiB) Viewed 3466 times
44 MB 324926
43 MBT 30970 USA 0231057 (Est)

User avatar
lowbonnet
G-Brigadier General
G-Brigadier General
Posts: 2173
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2002 11:56 pm
Location: Holland

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

Post by lowbonnet » Fri Dec 07, 2018 8:54 am

hook is not original
June 1942 Ford GPW (script)
Transportation Equipment Co. T1, 1/4 ton trailer

User avatar
Chuck Lutz
Gee Addict
Posts: 26829
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Jeep Heaven

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

Post by Chuck Lutz » Fri Dec 07, 2018 4:11 pm

Espen…

Can you send me your name and city in Norway for my data base? Can you double check for a faint weld connecting the axle in the middle?
It has "Ben-Hur" chains on it I believe. They enabled the trailer to be towed by larger vehicles as the regular chains were too short for anything much heavier than the jeep.

A close estimate of the missing info is as follows:
Willys MBT
Serial Number...….30970
DOD...………………...6/43
USA Number...…….0231057

That is the best I can do at this time.
Chuck Lutz

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

km-67
G-Private
G-Private
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 8:05 am
Location:

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

Post by km-67 » Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:17 am

Hello Chuck
My name is Michael and I'm from Germany.
I have a Willys GPW built 05.45 and recently I bought a Bantam T3 Trailer from France.
There was no data buffer on the trailer.

The ACM number is B21005
And at the front of the drawbar is 0253159

Otherwise, everything fits to a Bantam T3

Maybe you can help me further to get the year out

I try to upload pictures uploaded, I do not know anything.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipO ... lLRV3vTCDT

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipP ... ZTxHpfKA9w

Thank you very much

Michael
germany

km-67
G-Private
G-Private
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 8:05 am
Location:

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

Post by km-67 » Sat Feb 09, 2019 11:27 pm

Hello Cuck
Here is my missing information about my Bantam Trailer

1 / data plate is missing, only 4 holes
2 / USA number: None found
3 / ACM No. B-21005
4 / Upper Shock Mount: sapwood
5 / Axis: Straight pipe does not see any weld in the middle, no medium casting.
6 / feathers: 8 leaves
7 / Taillights and Reflectors: Inscription Guide / Screw heads in the tub / Taillight bracket: L-shape, screwed on.
9 / Numbers: Only on the drawbar front left 0253159
10 / Mudguard screws: marked with an "A"
11 / Unit markers: None found


I hope you can help me
Many Thanks
Greetings from Germany
Michael

User avatar
Chuck Lutz
Gee Addict
Posts: 26829
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Jeep Heaven

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

Post by Chuck Lutz » Sun Feb 10, 2019 2:59 pm

Hi Michael....

Something isn't right with the numbers you found...

1) the first contract was 0168915 to 0173917
2) the second contract was 0253934 to 0271500

So....can you send me a good pic of the USA number you found? It was not used by either Bantam or Willys.

However...
1) If the ACM number is B21005 then it would be in the USA number range of approximately 0254xxx
2) did you find the ACM number stamped into the left front spring hanger gusset plate?

Also, send me a pic of the ACM number as well please.
Chuck Lutz

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

User avatar
Johan WILLAERT
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1672
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2004 2:50 am
Location: Belgium
Contact:

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

Post by Johan WILLAERT » Mon Feb 11, 2019 1:13 am

Hi Chuck,

Here's another one we're restoring in De Haan, Belgium

Canadian Contract T3 for your database

1 / data plate original, Ser#22885, DoD 6-29-43, Manual numbers X'ed out and stamped 5P-AB1 (twice)
2 / USA number: None found
3 / ACM No. 52902
4 / Shock Mount: Riveted, shocks fitted with nuts
5 / Axis: Welded in middle
6 / Springs: 11 leaves, very heavy duty, Canadian modification?
7 / Taillights and Reflectors: missing, Taillight brackets bolted to frame
9 / Numbers: None
10 / Mudguard screws: Plain Head
11 / Unit markers: None

Cheers,

Johan
Last edited by Johan WILLAERT on Mon Feb 11, 2019 11:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
MVPA#14204
Huffman D50546 (1942)
Westfield Columbia MG138969 & MG140418 (1943)
HD 42WLA31854 (1943)
Ford GPW272xxx (1945)
Bantam T3 56433(Est) (1945)
John Wood M3A4 17564 (1943)
Johnston Lawn Mower Co RL35-A 1255 (1944)
BSA Mark V* T136102 (1944)
The Liberator

km-67
G-Private
G-Private
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 8:05 am
Location:

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

Post by km-67 » Mon Feb 11, 2019 9:39 am

Hello Chuck
many thanks for the answer.
The ACM B-21005 is on the left under the spring hanger plate.
Then I have the number 0253159 on the drawbar front left.
Is it possible to determine the year of manufacture and serial number on the basis of the ACM number?
I will send you two photos by mail.

Thanks in advance

Greetings Michael
germany

User avatar
Chuck Lutz
Gee Addict
Posts: 26829
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Jeep Heaven

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

Post by Chuck Lutz » Mon Feb 11, 2019 10:01 am

Johan.....

A close USA number would be 0271608 for that Bantam Serial Numbered 22885. I am not sure if it is a Canadian or not but I believe they ordered the 10-leaf springs on theirs and they would not have had a USA number. While it is close to the Canadian Contract Bantams, I don't have any documentation on the serial numbers for them.
Chuck Lutz

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

User avatar
Chuck Lutz
Gee Addict
Posts: 26829
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Jeep Heaven

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

Post by Chuck Lutz » Mon Feb 11, 2019 10:19 am

Michael....

Can you confirm the following:
Tail light brackets are WELDED or are they BOLTED to the frame?
Upper Shock Brackets are WELDED or are they BOLTED to the frames?
Chuck Lutz

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


Post Reply

Return to “Trailers 1/4 ton”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 38 guests