Ontario

D

DELOMBA

Joined
Aug 11, 2005
Messages
3
Dear all,

I have bought at a garage sale an Ontario dated 1-1973
looking like the present

499 Survival Knife with Sheath

NSN: 7340-00-098-4327


5" Blade
9 1/2" Overall
1095 Carbon Steel Blade
Natural Leather Handle
Steel Buttcap
(copy from the site)
How do you dismantle it ? I would like to restore it, especially the leather handle is damage.
Thank you in advance

Yves
(Brussels, Europe)
 
I am not help on taking it apart but that NSN number is placed on things for military procurement.

Is the but end of the knife visibly pinned. If so that is the starting point. Problem is you might need a new pin when you put it back together.

Bye the way welcome to the forums. Glad to have you here!

Gus
 
I have one of these knives sitting here at my desk. In fact, I have these knives all over the place, these being one of my favorites. Were made by the thousands by both Ontario and Camillus. The hexagon shaped pommel appears to be peened on. It would be difficult to remove. Perhaps a machine shop could help you.

The handle is constructed of leather washers, compressed as the pommel is peened onto the tang of the knife. This pressure also holds the guard in place. Leather washers for this type of handle can be made or purchased from a knife supply outlet.

Some little facts about your knife: Known as the 'Jet Pilot' knife, it issued to pilots. The two little holes on the top of the guard are per the military specs for this knife: To make lash it onto a pole to make a spear, most likely fishing. The sawback is for cutting oneself out of a downed plane. Produced by several manufacturers in the 1950s, Marble's having made the first issue.

Good luck with the project!

Phil
 
Its the good ole AF pilots knife. I was active duty AF for 8 years and worked in surivival equipment (88-96). Ive seen more of these then "carters got little liver pills" (well...maybe not that many, but allot to say the least!). The cap is "peened" on. You will have to grind the peening off the butt cap to remove it. You can also make yourself new leather washers, or buy them. Also if the handle is in decent shape and not too loose you can soak the handle in neats foot oil for a few days and it will tighten back up, that is, provided its not too loose. Some also soak the handles in melted wax.
 
Thank you very much. I have cleaned the blade, it is a little damaged but it will be ok. The handle is more problematic. I have used "Ox foot oil" (bad translation from French) to moister the leather but I guess I will have to replace the leather. I have e-mailed to Ontario and still wait for an answer.

Yves
 
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