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I am pretty happy today. I had two good things happen. First is, I finally found a type 99 Arisaka Japanese rifle from WWII at a gunstore that I bought(been after one for a long time). Secondly, I get home from the trip to the gunstore and sitting on the dining room table is a big old envelope marked PA bureau of motor vehicles. I opened it to see my brand new antique license plate for my M37. Haven't yet got the new title in my name, but it can only be matter of days before that shows up as well. I am as happy as a pig in $hit right now. I can't believe the state turned this around in only 1 week.

Now a question, I need advice on how to mount this plate with a minimum of drilling or no drilling(preferred). How did you mount your license plate?, TIA.

Congrats on the Arisaka. I used to have one of those, but traded it off for a "side-hammer double" shotgun. Didn't have any place to shoot a rifle over .22 cal, but I still use the shotgun.

On the license plate issue, does PA use one or two plates? If you have to use a front plate, you can fab up a holder that "clips" onto the grille, thus avoiding holes in the front bumper. For the rear, if you have a pioneer rack, you can make a "T" shaped mounting bracket to slip under the corner of the rack and be held in place with that bolt. No new holes there, either. Since our trucks are "ancient" and were not designed for illuminated license plates, you may not need a license plate light.

I used those cable ties (plastic handcuff looking things and threaded them around the pioneer rack.I don't drive my M37 at night If you drive at night you may have to do it another way. I believe Cabell has something about it on his site.
Ron
1954 M37

Pa is a one plate(rear) state. I did not read anything regarding the plate being illuminated for night driving, so I think I am good to go. I had though of mounting it to the pioneer rack, trouble is, I still have to mount the rack as well. I was thinking of fabbing up a bracket with a couple holes that I could weld to the rack to hold on the plate. Then I could just bolt the plate to that. I'm not concerned about drilling or welding onto the pioneer rack so may go this route.

I do a lot of USMC living history events with mine, and I don't want a modern license plate ruining the original military look. So I simply attach my tag to the left rear bumberette with two smallish c-clamps (screwed down extra tight). Once at my event, I just unscrew the clamps and put away the tag. Although Virginia uses both a front and rear tag system, I rarely put the front one on. It rides in a period documents bag in the glove box. And in 2-3 years of using this system (both on a M151A2 and now my M37) I have never had the clamps vibrate loose.

MarineTracs wrote:I do a lot of USMC living history events with mine, and I don't want a modern license plate ruining the original military look. So I simply attach my tag to the left rear bumberette with two smallish c-clamps (screwed down extra tight). Once at my event, I just unscrew the clamps and put away the tag. Although Virginia uses both a front and rear tag system, I rarely put the front one on. It rides in a period documents bag in the glove box. And in 2-3 years of using this system (both on a M151A2 and now my M37) I have never had the clamps vibrate loose.

You just gave me an idea. My bumperettes for some reason have holes in them that look like they were torch cut. I could probably run a bolt and a couple washers through one of them and secure it that way. Thanks.

If your not using a pintle hook you can fab a bracket, I used a piece of aluminum angle to fit the pintle mounting holes then drill holes for your plate in the angle. Then you can also add a light.

It seems like you killed the Hydra afterall. Congratulations friend and happy trails. By the way, I hope the Arizaka is from the production years you wanted, with the chrysanthemum and all.

SOTVEN wrote:It seems like you killed the Hydra afterall. Congratulations friend and happy trails. By the way, I hope the Arizaka is from the production years you wanted, with the chrysanthemum and all.

Yep, so far Hydra is on his way out. Still haven't received title yet but I figure half the battle is over now.

Re; the Arisaka, I am new to the Japanese realm so wasn't particular about series, arsenal or year. Unfortunately mum was ground but parts of it are faintly visible. The gun is rough and needs a little work but the bolt and receiver have matching serial numbers, and the gun came with a dust cover (non-matching but it functions pretty well). I am happy with this gun so far. When I get some free time I am going to start cleaning it up. Right now I have the kids scouting activities, the truck to mess with, etc. So the gun will have to wait for a snowy day when I am stuck inside to begin working with it.

I fabbed a bracket up that used the taillight bolts hangs down below the taillight, got to be cafeful how its mounted most states require it to be "firmly affixed" to the vehicle, using anything except screws or bolts could run afoul of the law and earn you a ticket.

Ken
SFC USA (ret)

tmbrwolf wrote:I fabbed a bracket up that used the taillight bolts hangs down below the taillight, got to be cafeful how its mounted most states require it to be "firmly affixed" to the vehicle, using anything except screws or bolts could run afoul of the law and earn you a ticket.

Ken
SFC USA (ret)

Thanks, I hadn't considered using the tailight mounting bolts. Another good idea. Yes I plan to securely mount it. I don't relish the idea of the man pulling me over for something silly like a magnetic mount or zip ties holding my license on.