To/From Markings on GPW

Create a thread to track the progress of you MB/GPW restoration progress. Previously a General Discussion board.
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Destructo6
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To/From Markings on GPW

Post by Destructo6 » Mon Nov 06, 2017 10:16 am

So, whilst sanding and prepping for paint, some interesting marking became (partially) visible on the cowl area...

For orientation's sake, the OD green line at the top of the images is the portion of the cowl where the windshield frame rests.

The right side appears to say (missing characters represented with '*'):
To - RKC *****
USMC Air Station
El Toro, CALIF
F/SO Air FMF PM*
BDSO - H - 1***3 - A

LNV-65****-2
CowlMarkingsTo.jpg
CowlMarkingsTo.jpg (96.91 KiB) Viewed 604 times
That last line appears to be a larger font. Could this be the date that the GPW was actually shipped (eg 1965)?

The left side appears to say:
From ABSD
Port Hueneme
W******
078-1-45000***
Truck Recon
1/4 Ton 4x4
Willys MOD MB WOW
L - 10 FT 11 IN
W - 5 FT 2 IN
CowlMarkingsFrom.jpg
CowlMarkingsFrom.jpg (79.56 KiB) Viewed 604 times
The way I'm reading this is that at some point the SeaBees at Port Hueneme, CA had possession of the GPW. The hood revealed some "US Navy" markings, an odd hood number, and a layer of gray paint.

The Navy then transferred ownership to the USMC at MCAS El Toro, CA, possibly to the base Provost Marshall's Office (line 4 of right side markings).

Am I way off base (pardon the pun) on this?

Can someone shed some light on the missing numbers or how the markings should look or what they really mean?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
God gave you a soul.
Your parents, a body.
Your country, a rifle.

Keep all of them clean.


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1943Willysgpw
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Re: To/From Markings on GPW

Post by 1943Willysgpw » Mon Nov 06, 2017 12:16 pm

Although I have no information for you, I just wanted to state how cool it is to have your jeeps history written out for you.
"None of us are as smart as all of us"

1942 GPW 1871 DoD 2-27-42 Dallas Plant
1945 GPW 247890 DoD 1-26-45 Louisville Plant
1942 GTB 136166 DoD 9-18-42
1942 GTB 135938 DoD
1952 M100

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Michael O.
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Re: To/From Markings on GPW

Post by Michael O. » Mon Nov 06, 2017 3:38 pm

Indeed...I would try to sand it a little to smooth out that area and the edges and paint over those makings....leaving them there under a fresh coat of paint. Once they’re gone....they’re gone forever! If done properly, one wouldn’t even notice. I’ve done this to preserve original factory hood numbers.
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Farrell Fox
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Re: To/From Markings on GPW

Post by Farrell Fox » Mon Nov 06, 2017 9:39 pm

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Last edited by Farrell Fox on Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Mark Tombleson
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Re: To/From Markings on GPW

Post by Mark Tombleson » Mon Nov 06, 2017 11:02 pm

Would you mind posting the frame number for you GPW and photos of the other markings on your jeep... like odd hood numbers? :D :D
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Destructo6
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Re: To/From Markings on GPW

Post by Destructo6 » Tue Nov 07, 2017 4:50 am

I posted the "US Navy" and odd hood numbers in this thread:

http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=291248

Farrell Fox, thank you.
Indeed...I would try to sand it a little to smooth out that area and the edges and paint over those makings....leaving them there under a fresh coat of paint. Once they’re gone....they’re gone forever! If done properly, one wouldn’t even notice. I’ve done this to preserve original factory hood numbers.
That's the idea: just smooth enough so that the primer and top coat yield a smooth surface.
God gave you a soul.
Your parents, a body.
Your country, a rifle.

Keep all of them clean.


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