Frame stamp

[Rayboy]

I just purchased a chassis from a 27 T. It has an odd logo stamped into the frame. Wonder if anyone can tell me what it is. It looks like a company logo. I’ve enclosed a picture of it. Thanks. Ray

[John kuehn]

Probably the frame steel maker. Frames would have steel foundry marks. It’s a guess but could be what it is.

[Rayboy]

Thanks John. It appears to say B. M. Company. I thought Ford made all the all later T frames. I must be wrong

[John kuehn]

I might be wrong too Ray. It could be that Ford made the steel and frames but not sure. I do have a 21 T Touring that I restored several years ago. When I was cleaning up the springs I noticed a Carnegie steel mark on it. But never checked the frame on it.

Check out the encyclopedia in the resources section that’s on the MTFCA website. Go to frame makers and it mentions the names of the companies that Ford used year to year. Maybe more information there.

Could it be Parrish & Bighanm? It’s mentioned as a framemaker. ???

[TXGOAT2]

Where is it located on the frame? Some companies that operated company fleets stamped frames or other major parts with a stock number, company name, or a symbol to identify the car if it was stolen. I used to have a T rear axle that was stamped:
"The Prairie Oil Co.
Glen Pool Oklahoma"

[rickd]

That frame stamp is from the Murray Body Corporation. They were the parent corporation of Michigan Stamping Co. that supplied the Model T chassis from 1913 to 1926. Michigan Stamping was an early supplier to Ford as was another company, Parish & Bingham. On the Model T chassis a Michigan Stamping frame will have the MB pennant shown in your pic. Parrish & Bingham frames will have a P&B inside of a circle.

I recently restored a July 1, 1925 Touring that had the MB stamp on the driver side top of the rear cross member. I've kind of made it a hobby of mine to research frame and body numbers/stamps and the companies that were involved with Ford in the early days. The stamps are hard to find, time and wear have taken their toll on those frames. The early days for these companies were incredibly busy as they tried to supply not just Ford but many of the other up and coming car companies. Of note regarding Michigan Stamping it was eventually purchased by Briggs body company and became a Chrysler Corp. body plant and closed in 1979.

[Rayboy]

Looks like Murray Body Corp is the right one. This frame is from the west so it is in good shape, much better than eastern frames I have seen. It also has the serial number. It is a 27 car. I noticed you said 13-26.
They must have made them through 27 or it’s a leftover from 26. Here are a couple more pics. Thanks for the info. Ray

[rickd]

Ray, Murray continued to make the frames through 27. The short version; Murray Body Corp. went into receivership in December of 1925. In the 20s body manufacturers were trying to absorb other competing firms to protect their contracts with Ford and MBC got too far out there financially. Mainly because of the long term Ford contracts they came back as Murray Corp. of America in January 1927. MCA continued in business until 1965 and were involved in the Model A body building and other Fords after that. Its hard to say if your frame was built and stamped in 26 or 27 but that is some of the background of the companies involved. Glad you found that stamp, they are not real common due to wear and rust on those frames.

[varmint]

Parrish & Bingham stamp on mine.

[Jevil]

Where did you find the stamp? Mine ist 14793931 (engine and frame). Must be a same day car. Maybe I will find that stamp also.
Best regards,
Jens

[Rayboy]

[Rayboy]

You probably won’t be able to see the stamp if you have a body on the car. It would be covered up. Ray