I don't think there is any way of finding that unless you have the original rebuild plate, and even then in most cases the numbers can't as yet be linked to a particular repair shop.
I think its ironic that you are celebrating your machines post war history, when its probable that a previous owner removed the original rebuild plate either to put it back to WW2 specification or maybe to civilianise it in the post war era.
If it was mine I would remove the plate and weld up the rivet holes in the tool box, but I would certainly keep the plate with the machines documents.
I can't say I'm in total agreement about returning everything to a wartime specification..I've got a friend who has his M20 in post war spec. and in the markings of the BAOR MP unit he served in...Very nice it looks too..
Britain was involved in a lot of post war activity and machines from that era are both badly under represented and quite unjustifiably poorly regarded IMO...Ian
Thank you for your replies and comments ,it is much appreciated . The plate was a gift from my son and i was just trying to make it look as authentic as possible .
My own WM20 I am currently in the process of re-building, is from 1941, with a 1944 engine fitted. It has a data plate stating it was overhauled in Singapore in 1957. It appears that it might have been sold off when the British Army pulled out of Singapore around 1971.
It has some later post War parts fitted. I thought it would be nice to leave it as it is. I am not a purist and think this all is in keeping with the bikes history.
I love hearing about these Singapore bikes. I mentioned the M20's from Singapore in 1957 when I was there in REME 40 Base Wkshops.
Well guess what ? I was back there with Royal Signals in 1966 (237 Signal Sqn) and 1971, (19th Signal Regt), did my army licence test on a WM20. What would be the chances it was the same bike ? I actually joined in 1956 (Parachute Regt), moved to REME for medical reason, then transferred to Signals 1965 until 1972. Luckiest squaddie in the army, I had 3 overseas postings, all in Singapore/Malaya.
Baz
There's rebuild and rebuild plates, here's one from 1945, a lot of 1940 G3WO's were already rebuild during the war, as they were in service since 1940, on mine I painted the rebuild number on the tank, it starts with C14, like all rebuilt bikes.