New project WWII MKII

Dirtbiker

Dirtbiker

Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
1,486
Picked this up off of that auction site for a song but I'm gonna need some ideas for repairing or replacing the pommel.

Looks like someone was throwing it as the tip was blunted and of course the missing buttcap. I repaired the blade using period tools (file) but I am now moving into new territory with the pommel.

Saved the dried out handle by soaking it in BLO and it came out great. Oiled up a very dried out sheath as well.

She is 17.25 inches long and weighs 21.95oz

20131122_135730_zps1c814b1e.jpg
20131122_135600_zps63df71fb.jpg

20131122_135537_zps884e7f39.jpg

20131122_135432_zpse547ed26.jpg

20131122_135310_zpsbef8bd3e.jpg
 
Nice job so far.

You could cut a piece of soft steel or thick aluminum or brass into the shape of a buttcap, drill two holes to match the protrusions, rough up the existing butt, and attach the new buttplace with two-ton epoxy, which would also fill the apparent gap between wood and tang.

Since the wood is a bit rough around the edges of the butt, I would be tempted to use brass, make the plate a little wider than the butt, and hammer the brass around the edges of the butt so it wraps around, covering the wood for maybe 1/8".

Maybe thin out the edges of the brass with a file and cut some slots, to make it easier to bend it around the edges of the wood butt.

An easier option might be to file down the rough edges of the wood to eliminate the gouges; then you could attach a buttplate without having to do the wraparound. You'd lose a little of the butt flare, but that might be worth it.

There's also a bit of metal protruding at the top end of the tang. You can probably just file that off.
 
Looks like someone intentionally ground the butt plate off? Its too nice and square. Maybe replace it with a brass plate to match the handle pins and re peen it. Period correct may be steel? May have to do some grinding around the tang to get enough material to peen it again? It looks like an IMA/AC Bhojpure except for the full tang which would lead me to think it is British or India made? Dont bank on my history knowledge tho. Nice find! Do you see any markings on the blade?
edit: ( oh MKII) sorry...
 
Being it is full tang I'd probably break out the Ben Gay and a file and work that pommel down both wood and steel until everything is smoothed up and even.

That's a nice looking blade. Looks more like an M43 to me than a WWII but those wiser than I (ok everybody here) will know better.
 
" Do you see any markings on the blade?"

There's no doubt a couple of drool stains where bawanna dribble on it a bit.
 
Looking again and after reading ndogs post I'd probably try filing away the metal that is above the wood top and bottom and smooth up the wood but leave the two old post where it was peened before. Give the butt end some character and you can use it to stamp people with your mark after your done with them. IE- use the two post for decoration.
 
It has no marking so most likely it is a private purchase kukri but either very close to the end or just after WWII. Id say it was made by the same outfit that made the M43 as its nearly identical to the M43s I currently own (save the non sunken rivets and lack of any rings cut into the handle usually 5)
 
ndoghouse said:
It would have to be period correct drool much like whats on your Longleaf!
Click to expand...

I still call it your Longleaf but I enjoy borrowing it for an extended period of time. Kicking myself, forgot to bring it today for show and tell. Next week.

So was the M43 about in the same WWII period as a separate version officially? I'm on the prowl, well I'm on the prowl for everything but an M43 is high on the list. Kind of like the shape/style etc.
 
Here is a photo of 2 M43s and an officers tin chirra for comparison.

IMAG0273.jpg


Ps this is my long leaf

IMAG0369_zps3ac7e566.jpg

IMAG0368_zpsb92f7cf4.jpg
 
Note to self, until the urge for the M43 dissipates or one is obtained DO NOT LOOK at above photo's.


Check.
 
Leave the pommel and make up a nice story about what happened.
Like the Japanese soldier who had to explain a big kink in his blade and made up a story about chopping through an enemy machine gun with it. The truth was he had dropped it (big no no) and it hit a rock. The truth would have gotten him a beating, the story got him a few medals and added a bit of mystery to Japanese blades and soldiers. Everybody won.
Your pommels is still sticking in a bears head, isnt it?
 
I want you to get an M43 as well because I want to see a modern HI M43 compared to the long leaf.
Dirtbkr: You can send me that tin Chirra anytime! I think it needs some drool on it too! Beautiful!
Bawanna said:
I still call it your Longleaf but I enjoy borrowing it for an extended period of time. Kicking myself, forgot to bring it today for show and tell. Next week.

So was the M43 about in the same WWII period as a separate version officially? I'm on the prowl, well I'm on the prowl for everything but an M43 is high on the list. Kind of like the shape/style etc.
Click to expand...
 
I beginning to think that was a project Khuk from somebody that removed the butcap and sanded the rings down then abandoned the project. Since it has been modified already if it was mine I would be inclined to epoxy the voids full and just sand everything flush to the wood. The wood is already nicely exposed so just filing the metal even with the wood might look really good.
 
ndoghouse said:
I beginning to think that was a project Khuk from somebody that removed the butcap and sanded the rings down then abandoned the project. Since it has been modified already if it was mine I would be inclined to epoxy the voids full and just sand everything flush to the wood. The wood is already nicely exposed so just filing the metal even with the wood might look really good.
Click to expand...

I'm debating this as well.
 
I'll try to get some side by side photos with my HI M43

Like that tin Chirra huh? It's 18" long and only weighs 17oz.
 
Last edited:
:eek: 17oz!!! Wow! Amazing! I wonder if that is the inspiration for the HI Fox Folly (sorry Bawanna I said the "F" word) Thats about half the weight of an M43. Those chirrras must be pretty deep. Yes Love it very cool find!
Dirtbiker said:
I'll try to get some side by side photos with my HI M43

Like that tin Chirra huh? It's 18" long and only weighs 17oz.
Click to expand...
 
I wouldnt want to chop wood with it but it is razor sharp and very thin at the base of each fuller. It rings like a bell if you tap it with anything. I forgot who had the vintage kukri that was the inspiration for the FF but the photos are here somewhere. Now that was a stunning piece.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top