I know that the M7 Priest was seen with the cast nose and M3 suspension, what about the other way around - bolted nose and M4 suspension? what date was the high pulpit introduced.?
I'm trying to decide on the measures needed to produce a vehicle that was supplied from US stocks in Tunisia and used by the British in Italy 1943/44 ( up to just after Cassino) All I have is a front view from this date showing bolted nose and low pulpit, and an Italeri kit on the way to me. I don't have an M3 kit to canibalsie for the suspension, if required can this be 'converted' from M4 type by moving the return rollers?

Hi Dave,
I have the book US Armored artillery ww2 from concord wriiten by Steve Zaloga
In it shows a intermediate production priest manufactured in 42.
This has a bolted nose and D47527 heavy duty bogies.
so there you go mate, no mucking about.
Cheers
Andy

I show the M7 was produced 1942 - March 1944. Originally with the M3 chassis, bolted nose and M3 bogies. About halfway through the M7 changed to bolted nose with M4 bogies. Only the last few dozen M7 has cast nose with M4 bogies.

After March 1944 the M7B1 was produced using the M4A3 chassis. Less than 1000 were made til the war's end.

I believe the version you are attempting would have been introduced just about Cassino time so there would be a mixture of both types at that time.

Thanks very much Guy's. Ain't it typical, all these references and they never tell you what you wanna know, when you need it.
I think mine will have M4 bogies, bolted nose but I will modify the pulpit.

Also try Self Propelled Artillery in Action, one of those Squadron books