Identification Number On Tailgate.

[Tim Powell]

Hey Crew. I found and purchased a tailgate for our M-37. Hauled it home in my rig this last week saving the freight cost and a chance of damage!! I'm wondering about the number on the gate? It reads U S Army 2439954. Any clues??

[cuz]

The truck it came from would have had that number on the hood sides as well. It is the Army registration number and is assigned to the trucks as they are shipped from the factory. The Army would issue each vehicle manufacturer a block of registration numbers equal to the contracted number of units for each contract and the factory painted them on as they went out the door so to speak. From that point on the Army maintained and tracked each vehicle by it's registration number not it's serial number.

[Tim Powell]

Thanks Cuz! Sure be cool to find the truck it came off of! I got one outer hinge with the gate, ordered another one today for the other side and will be looking for the center hinge soon!

[WarrenD]

I'll take a guess (if the USA numbers are original and correct for the truck) that it's off a 1953 truck built in late June 53. SN would be in the 80054200 area give or take a few hundred in either direction and maybe a week or two either way for the build date.

[Tim Powell]

Thank You Warren D~! That ought to work as our's is a 1952! (I'm a "53" model myself.)

[oilleaker1]

Great looking tailgate. Hard to find that nice. I see Midwest Militarys last field trip in october netted some more. Interesting trip-----WoW John

[Tim Powell]

I was hoping to have it mounted to the truck before the cold weather set in but it ain't gonn' happen. Too much going on and still have to work for "half a paycheck" every other week!