The whose-it-what-huh? I’ve did a few searches and added some more info following the jeep photos.
BACKSTORY: A few months ago Nick discovered someone with an APU. We assumed it was a O.E. Szekely modified APU, as that’s the only type anyone had unearthed. That’s why Nick was shocked when he took the time to visit the man with the APU. There, he discovered it was made by the Valentine Welder and Manufacturing Company. Once he saw it, he knew he had to have it. He made an offer and bought it. Nick shared more over at G503:
http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=84&t=268433 or
see more pics here: https://imgur.com/a/LCz7B
HISTORY OF VALENTINE:
A company named Harger & Valentine Welder built welders for WWII jeeps:
1. http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=267097
2. http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=242432&hilit=+navy+welding+jeep
3. http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=84&t=193881
So, Harger & Valentine Welder could have been a company that preceded Valentine Welder and Manufacturing.
COPYRIGHTED HAND BOOKS
The jeep’s government document notes it was produced in 1953. Also in 1953, the company copyrighted three handbooks specifically for the model above, based on this google search:
VALENTINE WELDER CONTINUED PRODUCING PTOS:
This Valentine PTO is for sale on Yahoo Auction Japan right now. The tag indicates it was produced in 1965. So, it seems clear Valentine was producing this for more than a decade:
I’m was thinking that Valentine re-tagged a Spicer 18H. Note at the rear of the tag the raised boss and partial view of a rivet hole. And then I find this for a confirmation. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/321924552448?item=321924552448&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466&rmvSB=true
Thanks Blaine, that’s useful to know.
The paint on the eBay 18H looks like it has the remains of Navy yellow paint.