Swagger sticks

6763 Views 18 Replies 5 Participants Last post by CV3, Oct 26, 2015

CAS14

Discussion Starter · Jun 10, 2013 (Edited by Moderator)

3

Some history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swagger_stick

This swagger stick made for Marines is sold by Sgt. Grit, an Oklahoma City based source of USMC memorabilia.

Sword Musical instrument Street light Musical instrument accessory Fashion accessory

That one is made from a 1/2" dowel, total length 18", a .50 caliber brass shell casing and a .30 caliber round for the tip.

I have a retired friend who, for the past 20 years has done more for inactive and retired Marines than anyone I know. Except for a few more coats of 100% tung oil, it is finished. This one has a 20mm brass cartridge for a grip, the 20mm round for the tip and a USMC tie tack on the end of the brass. I used a 3/4" cherry (heartwood) dowel. Total length is 24". It should be ready to ship next weekend, after a few more applications of tung oil.

When finished, I will add the photo to my gallery and here. I'm not a great craftsman, but I am pleased with this swagger stick. Here is the brass setting up a few weeks ago, and the stick tonight with the first application of tung oil drying.

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Rad

· #2 · Jun 10, 2013

Cool! I like it CASS! Where do you get all the used brass?

CAS14

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 10, 2013

Rad said:
Cool! I like it CASS! Where do you get all the used brass?

I found a website, http://www.oldsargesdropzone.com/, which so far has delivered as promised or better than promised.

These are dummy / practice rounds. No primer, no powder or explosives, and a feaux hollow projectile of thick stainless steel, but painted. Paint remover and then steel wool take the paint off easily.

It is a bit tricky to remove the projectile (epoxied into the brass) without scratching the brass, but it can be done. I use a hacksaw to cut the solid steel base off the projectile, exposing the hollow interior which facilitates attaching to anything.

I use a punch (flat end for countersinking nails) to drive in the primer just a little. Then you can perfectly center a drill bit to drill through the primer end into the hollow part of the brass. That brass drills extremely hard, it heats up, and again, it is difficult to accomplish without scratching the brass but if you think through the process (depending on the tools at hand), it can be done.

So far, I have purchased .50 cal, 20mm, and one 40mm from Old Sarge.

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Rad

· #4 · Jun 10, 2013

Thanks CASS!

CAS14

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 10, 2013 (Edited by Moderator)

Rad, the future recipient of this lives in Columbus. He is the Commandant of the Ohio Marine Corps League I think, and he has just survived an annual event there that he planned and executed with very little assistance according to his significant other. She knows about the surprise, but he is unaware. The week after the Ohio MCL event, he hosted the twentieth annual 1st ANGLICO reunion at Quantico, again with very minimal assistance. That early June date conflicts with two grandchildren birthdays, unfortunately.

Rad

· #6 · Jun 10, 2013

I'm sure he will appreciate the gift very much!!

CAS14

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 11, 2013

2

Finished!

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Rad

· #8 · Jun 11, 2013

Excellent job!

CAS14

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 15, 2013

Thanks Rad. Now, besides a few more old Marines, I want one myself. I don't want to diminish the fine cherry heartwood's color. But, (there's always a "but", right?) I'm seriously considering buying a woodburning kit. The 3/4" dowel isn't well suited to carving. Some Marine artwork could be burned if the pattern were coarse enough to show plenty of wood.

Without a pencil, the circumference should be 2.3 (?) inches or so, enough for some art.

I would have to practice on some cheap 3/4" dowels.

Rad

· #10 · Jun 15, 2013

CAS said:
Thanks Rad. Now, besides a few more old Marines, I want one myself. I don't want to diminish the fine cherry heartwood's color. But, (there's always a "but", right?) I'm seriously considering buying a woodburning kit. The 3/4" dowel isn't well suited to carving. Some Marine artwork could be burned if the pattern were coarse enough to show plenty of wood.
Without a pencil, the circumference should be 2.3 (?) inches or so, enough for some art.
I would have to practice on some cheap 3/4" dowels.

Now, since you said it, you have to keep me updated as to your progress! Have you done wood burning before?

CAS14

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 15, 2013

Never have attempted woodburning as an adult. I played with a child's set about 55 years ago just a bit. Today at a woodcarver's trade show here, a lady told me what I needed, and I picked up the equipment at another booth. She's going to give me some pointers at their Thursday evening meetings.

I'll keep you posted Rad.

Rad

· #12 · Jun 16, 2013

CAS said:
I'll keep you posted Rad.

Please do!

Happy Father's Day!

CAS14

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 29, 2013

No woodburning yet! Other projects keep bumping that one.

Rad

· #14 · Jul 29, 2013

CAS said:
No woodburning yet! Other projects keep bumping that one.

I know how that goes!

Sean

· #15 · Aug 11, 2013

Very nice swagger stick! I'd like to try a more rustic version of that sometime. I've got access to some very straight Alder and

might be able to find a used cartridge or something.

Cheers.

CAS14

Discussion Starter · #16 · Oct 12, 2015

In Vietnam, we referred to the swagger stick as a "short-timer's stick." Out in the boonies, you couldn't have a nice one like some of the guys back in Chu Lai or DaNang. So after digging up a booby trap with punji stakes once, I removed the metal rod with barb and wrapped some electrical tape around it for a grip. That's still my favorite swagger stick.

cobalt

· #17 · Oct 22, 2015

Swagger sticks seem to be coming back over here a couple of stickmakers have started making them and riding crops .I will tryto find the pics and post them

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cobalt

· #18 · Oct 26, 2015

3

couldn't find the swagger stick but here's a riding crop /wand and whip

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CV3

· #19 · Oct 26, 2015

Nice job CAS14. I had a swagger stick I pick up in Okinawan in the 60's. Sadly I lost in a move. I have often thought of making one but have not done it yet.

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