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
