Joined: Mar 22, 2017 Posts: 301 Location: Great Mills, MD
Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 11:29 am Post subject: Axe Handle Fact or Fiction?
Hi Guys,
I want to mount my pioneer axe in my M38A1. I have the bracket and will get the straps, but first I need to figure out the handle. The fawn's foot handle on it now is too long......ie, hits the passenger seat back. Reading online some say the handle should be a shorter straight one, called a rafting axe handle. But no one mentions how they know this.
Can someone confirm if the handle should be a rafting axe handle.......or should I just cut a few inches off my fawn's foot? Does anyone still make rafting axe handles, if that's what I need? I didn't see any on the web just now.
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 6:17 pm Post subject:
Before I installed my radio on the passenger wheelwell, I had a regular length, 4# axe from a newer pioneer toolkit installed. Here's a pic of it right after I bought it at the rally - before I refinished it. It fit fine without hitting the seat.
I have heard the axe situation argued both ways, but I am cheap - I won't pay $80 for a "correct" axe when a standard $15 one will look just fine. Who will know besides MVPA Gold level judges anyway that the M38a1 MIGHT have come with a shorter axe?. I'm sure most of the Jeeps out there had whatever axe they could find (if any at all) installed. _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
SPECIAL FEATURES AX IS USED FOR GENERAL UTILITY USE IN FORESTRY WORK; IT HAS A FORGED, HARDENED STEEL HEAD, A GROUND POLISHED CUTTING EDGE, AND AN ELLIPTICAL TAPERED EYE FOR THE HANDLE; SINGLE-BIT, MEN'S (DAYTON) PATTERN AX HAS A CURVED HICKORY HANDLE AND FLAT-TOP FACE FOR STRIKING
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:33 am Post subject:
I bought it at the Georgia Steel Soldiers rally in 2012. I am looking for a shovel now - plenty of Mutt shovels out there, but they are about 3" too long. I guess I could shorten the handle if it came down to it. _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
The NSN's didn't come into play until the 1970's. When specs disagree between an NSN and an FSN for the early jeeps follow the FSN spec. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 5:45 am Post subject:
I guess so! Like I said, I'm too cheap to buy a $75 one and don't want to buy a $45 Omix Ada. Maybe I'll buy a Mutt shovel and shorten it 3"? _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
Joined: Mar 22, 2017 Posts: 301 Location: Great Mills, MD
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 7:35 am Post subject:
Brian,
You can still find cheap (good quality) pioneer tools out there, but you have to go to the military meets to get them. I went to the MTA meet in NJ last Saturday and there was a guy with a pile of NOS US made #2 shovels, 37.5 inches long with metal D-handle that fit my M38A1 perfectly. I bought 2 for $10 each.
Same guy was also selling NOS US made 4 lb axes with fawn's foot handles for $20 each. Two of those followed me home as well. The handle is too long for the A1, but fit the pioneer racks on my M37s perfectly. I'll swap a newer handle on and cut it down to fit the jeep.
But my point is there are still cheap tools out there, buy you need to avoid the shipping costs. Has anyone else noticed how much shipping charges have increased recently? It's getting a bit nuts out there when shipping costs more than most of the stuff you buy.
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 8:25 am Post subject:
At the Denton rally the other weekend a guy was selling the newer plastic handled shovels for $20 - wish they were metal. You're correct - shipping is a killer in many cases. I found the Mutt shovel for $23, but shipping one state over, is over $18! What are you gonna do - either do without until you run across one or suck it up and pay the extra $$. _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
Joined: Mar 22, 2017 Posts: 301 Location: Great Mills, MD
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 11:26 am Post subject:
Matt,
For the shovel at least there's another option. If you can find a decent blade at your local flea market or yard sale you can get a nice wooden handle with metal D-handle from Tractor Supply for about $9. You can shorten it if needed and rivet on the used blade. I believe the handles TS sells are a True Temper product.
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 12:01 pm Post subject:
I've actually considered doing that. I have a fork with a metal d handle. I'm going to look around because I might have an old shovel too. _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
For those of you working on a super factory class resto keep in mind you do not need any Pioneer Tools. They didn't leave Willys with them! _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Mar 13, 2006 Posts: 1079 Location: Richburg, SC
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 2:14 pm Post subject:
Not here - I'm too cheap to be correct! Mine is (sort of) mimicking what was in my dad's arty unit in 1969.
I found am old #2 shovel with a cracked handle and bent tip. I revived the handle, straightened and welded up the tip. I found am older metal d handle fork and removed the handle from it. I shortened it so that the shovel and handle fit comfortably in the mounts on the Jeep (ended up being 37.5" tip to handle - I know the spec is 36.5"). I "made" a rivet with a screw and nut, tightened it up and tack welded a rivet shape, then finished it with the grinder. Painted the whole thing 24087. Will post pics tonight. Saved that $$an's only spent about 3hrs or so making it!
Next thing - how does the strap route around the handle? _________________ Matt
1953 M38a1
1964 USMC M38a1
'51 USMC M100 trailer, '54 M100 trailer, '90 M101a1 trailer
Http://wilfreeman.wordpress.com (M38a1 build blog)
http://m38a1usmc.wordpress.com (USMC M38a1 rebuild blog)
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