| Sherman Tank Serial Numbers |
| (Click on the thumbnails to bring up a larger image.) |
| I'll try to add more as time & energy permit. Comments? Questions? |
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| Here is a close up photo of an M4A3E2. In the glossy print at the National Archives, I noticed that the serial number of the tank can be read on the differential housing as S50354. ( You can kinda see it in the far right middle.) This is confirmed in the black info panel on the bottom of the photo. The "Serial Number on the differential housing" appears to be limited to Shermans & other AFV's built by the Fisher Tank Arsenal. It always seems to be preceeded by an "S." |
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| All Shermans, variants & predecessors had a "Speed Caution Plate" on which was stamped the type (M4, M4A1), the serial number, & the manufacturer, among other things. This is commonly referred to as the "dataplate." |
| The dataplate on the M4 series can be found on the hull wall to the left of the driver's position. The serial number was sometimes stamped into the hull under where the dataplate was affixed, in case it was missing, damaged or destroyed. |
| The dataplate on M3 Medium Tanks can be found to the right of the driver's position. This M3 was Serial Number 1687 from American Locomotive. It was used as a remotely controlled range target at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Paper dummies were put into the seats & the effects can be noticed in the photo... |
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| I've noticed in several Korean War Signal Corps photos that Serial Numbers were conveniently painted on the side of the tank. This M4A3(76)HVSS carries S/N 61930. The corresponding registration number - 30114952 - is painted on the tank towards the rear, & shows up well in the glossy photo at the National Archives. If anyone out there comes across any more such period photos with readable serial and/or registration numbers, I would be grateful to receive any numbers... for a project I've been researching. |
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| Canadian-built M4A1 Grizzly's have the serial or shop number stamped just below the hull caster's logo on the front of the hull. Look for a number between 1 and 188. A large number of these Shermans seem to have survived despite the small number built. They are often seen with steel Canadian Dry Pin Tracks that required a different sprocket than US-built Shermans. I believe these are the only cast-hull Shermans that have the serial number stamped anywhere on the exterior of the hull. This Grizzly is # 43. |
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| Ford-built M4A3's are located as monuments all over the US. Ford-built M4A3's have welded hulls & protruding drivers' hoods, and, of course, were powered by the Ford GAA engine. The Serial Numbers on these Shermans is stamped on the four corners of the upper hull. The first two photos show S/N 12281 on display at an American Legion in St. Leon, Indiana. The S/N shown is stamped on the front right, just below the lifting lug. The bottom photo shows an M4A3 that is a piece of playground equipment in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. The S/N shown - 11603 - is stamped on the left rear. I have underlined its position in red on the pop-up photo. |
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| The first place to look for serial numbers on the exterior of a Sherman or predecessor, is on the towing lugs. In the 2 examples, the serial is stamped on both the front & rear lugs. The M2 Medium Tank at Aberdeen Proving Grounds has Serial Number 2. It is currently on display by the Golf Course on Maryland Blvd. It is pictured on page 39 of Hunnicutt's "Sherman." The M3A1 at APG - which may be the last of its breed - carries Serial Number 1962. The serial is preceded by the letter "C," which would appear to indicate a CAST hull. This tank is pictured on page 68 of Hunnicutt, where it is seen with its USA Registration Number 306032. The M4A4 that can be seen directly behind the M3A1 in the photo has it's serial number, 19617, stamped on all 4 tow lugs. |
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| This is the first M3 Medium Tank built by Chrysler at the Detroit Tank Arsenal in April, 1941. It has the serial number 2 stamped on the rear tow lugs. |
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| The black circles in the photo to the left indicate the approximate location of the serial number stampings on the differentail housings of Fisher-built AFV's. It can be read on both the right and left sides of this Sherman in Carlisle, Pa. The serial number, 65944, is also stamped on the rear tow lugs. |
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| Here's a Signal Corps photo of an M4A3(76)VVSS. It has the caption: "Medium Tank with crew of National Guardsmen, Army Day Exhibit, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. 3 April 1948" Notice it has the USA Registration Number welded on it. Army documents indicate that the 1st Armored Division adopted this practice during WW II. Indeed, this Sherman is listed as having been issued to the 13th Tank Battalion, 1AD, in Italy on April 1, 1945. I believe there are a few surviving Shermans that have the reg. number welded on. If you spot one, I'd be grateful if you would record the number & contact me at the link below. |
