Lionel Postwar trucks..Question

Recently I purchased a medium sized train set from a private party who had accumulated the trains when they were new in the 1950's. Several of the cars had one staple end truck and one bar end truck. There is no question in my mind that they came from the factory that way.
In my opinion, if your cars are in top notch shape, it is highly unlikely that a truck needed to be replaced. They probably left the factory that way.

Let's start with the 3482 car first.  The 3482 was released to replace the 3472 in 1954.  The earliest versions, came with the factory error of the 3482/3472 stamping error, and wasn't caught early enough.  The 3482 came in Sets 1519WS (1954); 2223W (1954); 2231W (1954); & 1541WS (1955), plus separate sale, IF the catalog stated as such.  NOT as separate sale only. I personally own two complete 3482/3472 error sets, and one corrected 3482, and all have black pins, without a tab on any truck.  I also did have a third 3482/3472 stamp error complete that I sold about 2 years ago, and the trucks were the same (no tab, black pin only).  So you decide if it bothers you that much. (All listings on eBay show black pin, no tabs, just as a follow up to the coupler issue).

The 2513W set:  Was this set your original set, or purchased as a complete set from someone else?  Or is this set being put together from collecting pieces, to make up the set?  Using my only source of reference from Doyle, in regard to the coupler pin, "In 1955, some of the coupler pins began to be made of a shiny silver plated material (previously were black oxide coated), and by the end of 1956, all the black pins had been depleted from inventory, and the Silver pin was used exclusively"

Like CW stated, items probably left the factory that way, with sometimes mismatched parts being the trucks.  The 2513W set is a very desirable set, with a rarity of "7", and would be a prized possession.  If you are that much of a proponent of "Correctness", then you have to decide.  Don't sweat the minute trivial quirks, as what you have may, repeat, may be perfectly correct.

Thanks for your reply, guys.. I'm well familiar with the history of the Lionel milk car. In fact, I thought the 3482 MIGHT have come from the 1541WS set as it was the only '55 set and last one to have a 3482 car. They were already using the 3662's in '55 and forward.  At that time, coupler tabs were introduced as well as SOME silver pins si I was hoping someone else may have had on like this.. Also looked at ebay archives and couldn't find one. If it HAD been on the early '54 run(3472 marked sides), it would obviously be a replacement. A common car, not a big deal. The milk care set itself is LN so that created some confusion. Also realize set 2513W's value/rarity....However it was purchased at live auction(not ebay)and though it has the set box, component box 'coloring'(inconsistent with age/use) and condition pretty much told me it was a 'put together' though again, all components in solid C-8 condition. Have Doyle's book as well as Ambrose and TM reference guides so considering the year, '59, I'm guessing that truck was a replacement as it does have the black coated pin.  Wishful thinking it would be factory correct and as you say 'may' be. Inexpensive and easily obtained car. Probably be searching for another..(:-)

It wouldn't matter how it was obtained, the Set box, and the other components which you state are at least C-8, is all that matters.  It usually isn't until after the purchase, do you find the "tiniest detail", that doesn't seem right.  Your conclusion of it being assembled, after the fact seems to bear that out, from your above description of the set box condition.  If you want to make it absolutely correct, then you will have to hunt down the correct version, or at the very least, change the trucks to what they should have been, when issued.  The same goes for the 3482, with just replace with the right ones.  Both cars use the "horseshoe clips, 480-18), so changing them is no big deal.  Good luck with whatever decision you come up with.

Many thanks again to both of ya...