Starting in WWII, all major end items of military equipment were given a
letter and number designation. Armaments were prefixed with an A, and
military vehicles wound up with the G prefix. Each vehicle, trailer and
vehicular tool set used in WWII was given this designation to identify
groups of parts. WWII tools sets were prefixed G-027, the MB/GPW was G503,
the WC51 series were G502, and the M37 was designated G741. This allowed
items to be organized for storage, shipping, and inventory without relying
on nomenclature which was subjectively named either regionally or
culturally, i.e. a water pump, as opposed to a cooling pump for a tank or
truck (or better yet, hood or bonnet). A parts list was published for each
vehicle, and was named the ORD 9 SNL -GXXX. This was the master parts list
for the named family of vehicles. In this publication, a group
nomenclature prefix was used, which was designated by the manufacturer, with
a heading for engine, drive train, electrical, etc. Different manufacturers
used different number systems. Beyond that were the individual parts
numbers. This system was in use as early as 1941, and possibly earlier.
Early use of these parts numbers could include a separate prefix, to
designate that a certain part would fit other vehicles. The example I
usually think about is the Ford GTB truck parts list, which has some parts
numbers listed in common with the Ford GP prototype jeep.
There are a few mistakes made in application of this G number. It was not
common standard in WWII to speak of an MB/GPW as a "G503." If you did in
front of the common GI, he wouldn't know what you were talking about. But
if you were a logistics officer, or a motor pool supervisor, the G number
was the nomenclature you used in combination with the system group and part
number to order spare parts for vehicles. It was also how the parts were
(supposedly) identified on their wrappers when they arrived. I have found
most Dodge 3/4 parts to be labeled like this, but have found lone parts
numbers, vehicle nomenclature followed by parts numbers, and other
variations in the labels of WWII parts.
If anybody is looking for the G number of their vehicle, have a look at
http://www.G503.com
Good listing of most of the G numbers. Another place to look for them is in
TM 9-2800, Ordnance Standard Catalog of Vehicles. This lists most of the G
numbers for the trucks, tanks, and trailers.
-----Original Message-----
From: Denall, Mike <mike.denall@lmco.com>
To: 'Jock J Jones' <jockjones@juno.com>
Cc: Mil-veh@skylee.com <Mil-veh@skylee.com>
Date: Monday, December 20, 1999 12:11 PM
Subject: RE: [MV] Top bows
Jock,
When you list your Cargo Truck 1951-M37(G-741), what is the
(G-741) designation ?
....still learning in Bremerton Wa...
Mike D.
1953 - M37
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