Update: My copy of Mr. Iarocci's book arrived today which gives me some idea about the various markings. There are a few examples of in-service vehicles with the spare tire relocated, so maybe it happened during service.
I did pull the front bumper to see if I could locate any stampings on the frame horn. They're either too faint to read or don't exist. There was a "283L" on the outside of the rail, and a "283R" on the opposite rail. Back to the drawing board.
__________________
Clueless:
1953 M38A1 CDN 53-XXXXX
|