Andy, welcome to the forum. According to Bruce Palmer’s 32-52 military FE and SE there were 57,565 42WLAs built. Even though production began in 1941 and continued into 1945, they all had serial numbers (SNs) beginning with 42. Also in the early stages their SNs were mixed in with SNs of other models in the same engine family which is why SNs for 42WLAs went above 70000.

I can’t see anything wrong with the number boss and all characters appear consistent with factory stamping. Notice the 4 has an open top which is what I’d expect for a 42WLA at that stage of numbering. At least two types of 4 were used for 42WLAs. The first type had a closed top but around mid-43 the factory changed to an open top. Originally a bike with that SN would have been built around August 43 and therefore it has an open-top 4. I can’t see anything wrong with its curved left stroke. In those days SNs were hand-stamped and sometimes there can be variation in how characters were applied. The serif across the base of the 4 also appears normal.

Notice the 2 has a vertical serif at bottom right.
The W, L and A are all sans serif as I’d expect. Notice the L has a diagonal line from top to bottom right but I think it is because of how the stamp was struck and I don’t think it’s a concern. I’ve seen it many times and you’ll notice the same thing in the example I posted below.
Notice the 5 has a back that is vertical as opposed to leaning to the right.
Notice the 0s are rounded as opposed to being oblong in shape.
Notice the 1 has a horizontal serif at top left. Notice from the top there is a vertical line at the left and a diagonal line to the right and once again I think they are because of how the stamp was struck. I’ve seen them many times and you’ll notice similar lines in my photo below. Horizontal serif across the base of the 1 is the length I’d expect.
Notice the 6 is a certain style with a straight back.





Stamped under each case near the outer edges and somewhat toward the front you should find belly numbers, aka crankcase production numbers, aka line-bore numbers, aka confidential numbers. They may be formatted as per the following example: 44-1234. Please let us know what you find. Photos would help.
Eric

NB: although in SNs of production models the open-top 4 first appeared around mid-43, it had been used prior to that in SNs for the 42XA.

 

Thank you everyone for the help! Not bought it will be the next purchase now I know it’s right! Will take some photos! If anyone needs any Wartime Jeep advice I’m here!

 

Good luck and I for one hope to see lots of progress pictures after you buy it.

 

For your viewing pleasure - a bunch of serial numbers
Some good, some bad

https://hydra-glide.net/cpg/thumbnai...lbum=4&page=15