White or Autocar how to see the difference

[cal.50]

Hello

I can get an M2 half track but without any data plates. How can I see if it is an white, or Autocar half track?

Thanks
Andy

[brit plumber]

For me it would be serial number to start, and then perhaps details like the percentage of nuts on the armour screws being one or the other. White have a groove around the end side of the nuts and autocar/diamond T have dimples? On the ends. Of course the vehicles could be repaired/rebuilt/restored with any type of nuts so some results can vary.

Some more knowledgeable people may know other ways to distinguish manufacturer.

[woodwalker]

If you can look in the engine compartment you can see the heat treat numbers  there will be a symbol
Autocar is the keystone state symbol
White is a box
Diamond T is a diamond
But armor can be swapped around so the best bet is can armor
 As Brit plumber stated look at the serial number on the frame behind drivers side tire

[WayOffTrack]

Hello

I can get an M2 half track but without any data plates. How can I see if it is an white, or Autocar half track?

Thanks
Andy

The easiest way to identify which company built your halftrack is the frame serial number stamped on the drivers side frame rail. If White built will have a 6 digit serial number beginning with the number 2, such as my M2 which is 233741. The number is on the frame rail facing out behind the front tire, usually just behind the frame extensions for the roller (or winch).

If built by Autocar it will have the model number designation included in the serial number such as M2-xxxx.

Good luck,
Clint

[cal.50]

I checked the number today... it is M2a1 -112xx stamped

Is it possible to find out also when the Halftrack was built?

Thanks

[spec4don]

Check the tracked forum over on the G503 there is S/N data base there.

Don G.

[cal.50]

But is it an white , Autocar or Diamond?
I cannot find this number at g503...

[brit plumber]

It’s an Autocar. The serial range may not be listed if it wasn’t a US contract. Perhaps it was a British contract (pre lend lease) and paid up front, hence no USA number or Purchase order. Here are some from the g503 list.

M2A1-11246------------------------------------------------M2A1-------------------Germany----Fndr hdlps (Hohenfels) ret'd to Ft. Sill ADA Museum
M2A1-11252------------------------------------------------M2A1--------------------Belgium----Winch-Fndr hdlps.
M2A1-11416------------------------------------------------M2A1-----------------Netherlands--Winch-Pedestal hdlps.

[WayOffTrack]

Autocar factory build M2A1 so it always had a pulpit and perimeter rail and never a skate rail. For historical reference Diamond T did not build any M2's or M2A1's.

[cal.50]

Thanks to everyone, great to get this infos from you guys.

Does somebody know how many Autocar M2a1 were built?

[Smadge]

Autocar factory build M2A1 so it always had a pulpit and perimeter rail and never a skate rail. For historical reference Diamond T did not build any M2's or M2A1's.

I have an M2 Autocar which was later converted to an M2A1.  If you check the G you'll see the first Army contract was with Autocar for M2's.

Paul