Bottom line is that if you want to enjoy your Jeep besides looking at it, you need to make compromises.... Mechanical parts need to be reliable and work!! Simple example are the high tension leads from the distributor to the spark plugs... Original ones look great but nothing beats more recently made high quality ones... Another example, altough I have a 1942 dated Autolite Regulator in my spare parts bin, I run a new straight from the box 1952 dated one on the Jeep.... Firstly because it works great and secondly because it was a present from my dad during one of several restorations we did on the Jeep together...  

. Hi Johan,   thanks once again for all the effort to sort through all these details and posting here, we are so far beyond when a Jeep was a Jeep, was a Jeep. !!!!!!!!.   My bottom line is yes the 8 patents carbs are more desirable but I won't dismiss anyone who only has a carb with 12 patents on the bowl to run their Jeep, it's hard enough keeping these vehicles on the road as it is.  Some people have a fully equipped workshop and money for restorations other people work outside in their yard.      Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, April 04  2O25.   ...

Here you go... Also a scan of a Carter carb specification sheet from 1942 and revised in 1954 which lists both 539-S and 698-S correct for the MB Jeep Also note it says the manifold flange should be marked 407   I went through the parts lists this morning... April 1942 Ford GPW Parts List TM10-1348 list the complete Carburetor Assembly 'as purchased' without details of the model February 1945 SNL G503 lists the complete carburetor assembly as CARTER 539-S (8 patents) October 1949 SNL G503 lists both 539-S (8 patents) and 698-S (12 patents) Worth noting is that the postwar 596-S also only had 8 patents on the bowl... I think bottom line is 539-S is always OK for WW2 era, 698-S possibly OK for a late WW2 MB/GPW

539-S models came both in gold or aluminum hues... Later ones only in gold hue   Over here we all run carbs refurbished with NOS Carter kits by Olaf Seinen in The Netherlands.... He does perfect work...

Thank you blackdogblades. Indeed, mostly white/bright. I find it interesting to reflect together on the same topic, especially when we don't necessarily have the answer right away because it's not easy to find. Little by little, as they say!

Spectacular, thank you. I wonder if anyone on here has acquired pants as well (?)

. Johan,    could you post a clearer photo of the top strip of the list you previously posted.   Due to it's size it all appears quite blurred on my screen, I can't quite read all the details, It appears to infer that in 1943 the carb with 12 patents is possibly used on MB's and GPW's    Thanks    Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, April 04  2O25.   ...

Posted over in Real or Fake section. Will update at a later date, but this could be an example of fake, or an example of another maker. I have never heard of that maker. 

The US used French VB grenades during the war   Keith

I was watching this auction   Keith