The only way is to research with poeple where it was used last. Not where you bought it, per se, but track down the last users and go there. PIA, with little to show for your time, but that is virtually the only way.
Sometimes you can get an idea from layered painted data on the bumpers or dash-mounted rebuild tags, but they are rare.
I was really lucky with my M37. It came from the Army @ Yuma Proving Grounds in '72 (I've had it a while), and I knew the old guys there and they said it was there since new in '53.
My M54A1 5-ton had two dash rebuild tags; Sagami, Japan in '73 after 'Nam, and '84 Nurnburg, Germany. The damn thing has been around the world with the 1st armored HQ5!
dg