M38A1 - The "Original" Round Fender

This vehicle, owned by Scott was registered August, 1953 with the US ARMY registration number MD55511.

First Generation Vehicles:
First Generation model year deliveries were from initial production in1952 through October/November 1953. Attributes of first generation deliveries included:

Battery Box top securing mechanism consisting of 8 thumb screws around the perimeter of the box lid.
Front Grill mounting consisting of two 45 degree hinges, one at each frame rail allowing for easy removal.
Radiator was mounted to the fan shroud and front grill in a free standing position.
Front Fender seams specific to the first generation deliveries.
Front Bumper width of 54 1/4" at the longest point with no hole

Of the First Generation deliveries, there was a subset of very early deliveries which included:

Use of the shorter M38 front bumper which had the hole in the center for the hand crank of previous models.

Second Generation Vehicles:
The second generation deliveries began around October/November 1953, where modifications were made including:

Battery Box top securing mechanism consisting of a cam-lever strap assembly.
Front Grill mounting (fixed/rigid) consisting of a large bolt at the center base of the grill.
Radiator was mounted to the fan shroud/grill assembly with the addition of two support rods attached to the leading edge of the firewall.
Front Fender seams specific to the second generation deliveries.
Continued Front Bumper width of 54 1/4" at the longest point with no hole.

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Early Generation 1

	Bumper - Short. Early M38 style with center hole for crank. (does NOT include towbar assembly as shown, am waiting on a better pic)
	Another version of the short bumper. Note: This one does not have the hole in the center.

Generation 1 (Typically including pre October/November 1953 deliveries or S/N MD62000)

	Battery Box - 8 Thumb Screws around the perimeter of the battery box top cover lid. (yes, one is missing on the lower left in this picture)

	Front Grill - Hinged. There are two of these hinges, each of which are mounted on each inboard frame rail at the base of the grill.

	Freestanding radiator mount

	Front Fender Seam, approximate 45 degree angle seam

	Front Bumper

Generation 2 (Typically Post October/November 1953 deliveries after S/N MD62000, Nekaf and Cdn's)

	Battery Box - The Cam-lever strap assembly has replaced the 8 thumb screws.

	Front Grill - A large bolt at the bottom center of the grill makes it fixed/rigid now. Also, the hinges at the frame rails have been removed.

	Radiator - Additions include two radiator support rods attached to the firewall.

	Front Fender Seam, almost vertical in position.

Credits:
Lewis Smith for his 'short' bumper with an early 1952 delivery M38A1.
Gary Keating for his M170 pictures.
Southside Jeeps in Austin, Texas for the 'short' bumper with holes.