M38A1 USMC Questions

[DWesol]

Hello,
I am usually in the MB/GPW areas of the G503 forums. But I had a friend ask questions about the features of an M38A1. He provided limited photos with limited angles. I could not answer some of the questions so I thought I would seek the wisdom of the people here.

1. The data plates indicate the Delivery Date-was 10/52. The Responsible Agency plate reads Marine Corps. It appears to be painted Forest Green. Would it have left the factory in that shade of green ? Or would the factory OD have been painted over by the USMC?

2. The rear bumperetts are mounted on the rear frame that has lifting rings on the end. All of that is painted black. The front frame rails and bumper is also black.

Would those items be enough to confirm USMC issue? What else should I look for?
Thanks
Dan

[Dave M38A1]

The USMC M38A1's had the lifting rings at the corners of the rear bumper vs under the bumperettes on the Army version.
They usually have thick undercoating and were painted 34052 Semi-Gloss Forrest Green from WWII to the 70's.
They Army version was painted 24087 Olive Drab from 1950 through the 70's. Many of the USMC M38A1's had limited slip differentials.

The website M38A1.com lists some of the differences.
https://www.m38a1.com/


Dave

[Warren Duchesne]

Only the late contract had the limited slip differentials and I believe the undercoating was also on the late contract also.

[DWesol]

Thank you Dave and Warren. I will explore this further.

[DWesol]

Some photos.









Besides the Roll Bar, would the front Locking Hubs be a civilian modification? Or an add on during its service life?