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WWI, Marking on US Vehicles

USA - Vehicles Marking Samples

All photos are historic documents plubished by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.

Sidenote: Many tanks and trucks didn't have any markings at all, or only hand-painted. It is also possible that many of the photos were taken during the delivery of the vehicles and not in the field. Markings would then be applied later to the vehicles.




Pierce Arrow Car,
France

American Red Cross Transportation Department. Pierce Arrow touring car used as staff officers' car for the front.

ca. 1917-18

catalog.archives.gov/id/45508163

Marking Source:

Typeface: french stencil plates, French Roman typeface,

NOTE: Figure 3 has a different shape at the top than is mostly usual for French stencils.

Have a look to Vtg Stencil France No.1 and No.3.


Muck Truck,
France

Mack truck and trailer en route to station for shipment, La Bresse, Vosges, France

ca. 1918

catalog.archives.gov/id/86709407

Marking Source:

Typeface: french stencil plates, French Roman typeface,

NOTE: Figure 3 has a different shape at the top than is mostly usual for French stencils.

Have a look to Vtg Stencil France No.1 and No.3.


A.R.C. Trucks,
France

American Red Cross - Vehicles in France

ca. 1918

catalog.archives.gov/id/20805286

Marking Source:

Typeface A: french stencil plates, French Roman typeface,

Typeface B: hand lettering



Have a look to Vtg Stencil France No.1 and No.3.


US Trucks in France

Trucks and other Ordnance equipment awaiting shipment. Intermediate Ordnance Depot No. 2. Gievres, Loire et Cher, France

ca. 1918

catalog.archives.gov/id/86703992

Marking Source:

Typeface A: french stencil plates, French Roman typeface,





Have a look to Vtg Stencil France No.1 and No.3.


Truck

Heavy duty truck 3 1/2 tons. First series for aviation overseas supply. Detroit, Mich

1919

catalog.archives.gov/id/45508386

Marking Source:

Typeface: custom stencils, hand tooled stencils







Dimanond Army Truck

Diamond Truck Motror Co. trucks, USA

1918

catalog.archives.gov/id/45504719

Marking Source:

Typeface: stencils plates, Gothic








Artillery Tractor

Artillery tractors for the Ordnance Department at the Chandler Motor Car Co., Cleveland, Ohio. Loading and boxing tractors for shipment.

1919

catalog.archives.gov/id/45509867

Marking Source:

Typeface: stencil machine lettering, Gothic, >>> 1 ¾" Diagraph Jumbo stencil machine

This is a very rare historical photo that shows the moment when the stencil is applied from the stencil board. You can see the monospaced lettering, clearly the first sign of a stencil cutter machine, and the big size of the lettering - other 1 inch! Bradley and Diagraph were the only two manufacturers of these large stencil machines. However, Bradley preferred to use a Roman typeface for the majority of its models. The letter design is clearly recognizable and was made on a Diagraph Jumbo stencil machine.






water tank trailor

water tank trailor by Trailmobile Co.

1919

catalog.archives.gov/id/45526156

Marking Source:

Typeface: hand lettering

Typeface A: stencil plates, Gothic

Typeface B: stencil plates, Gothic

Typeface C: stencil plates, disc, etc., classic American Roman stencil typeface

Have a look to Vtg Stencil US No.2