[Alex van de Wetering]

I was also looking into these recently.....trying to find a way to recognize ww2 made examples from postwar ones....Anyone?

Bob, I do seem to remember the ones with the slots in the ends of the plates are a postwar improvement. Not sure if this is British or US design.

I have also seen them in different length sizes (also presumed postwar) and even ones in plastic or aluminium, which seem to be of very recent manufacture for the 4x4 world.

Also steel ones which don't have the large holes "open" but closed with 3 very small drainage holes.......no idea when these were made.