Irwin screwdriver handle question, MB/GPW tool kit

[YLG80]

Hi Mark

Around fifteen years ago I acquired this rather beaten up six inch Irwin screwdriver with FSN. Way back then I remember that these were considered WW2 correct.

So being a carpenter, set about making a new set of scales - I had some well seasoned Ash & Beech available, so made a set of each. For the pins I used some cut down mild steel round wire nails.

Finally deciding that Ash was the better match, which was finished with some boiled linseed oil.

Hope this helps ?
Len

Nice job with a nice result.
Thanks for sharing the photos.
Yves

[d42jeep]

Hi Jeff,
yes, of course, thanks. That's a shame, early fifties issue I guess then.
I guess this will do until a wartime screwdriver comes along - anyone have a wartime one they would be happy to sell?
Cheers,
Mark

If you keep an eBay search going for Irwin wood handled screwdrivers, a correct one will eventually show up. Just keep watching.
-Don

[Len Jones]

Mark

Thanks for posting your photo's which match my Irwin with the FSN.

For comparison my Irwin with the FSN, and my Irwin with ink stamped handle - Might help identify any unmarked examples without the need to remove their scales to see what forge markings are hiding underneath ?

Two wartime RA PD images showing Irwin ink stamped examples.

Here ORD 7 SNL G-503 dated October 1949 lists the 41-S-1076 FSN, but not the WO-A375 or FM-GPW-17020 part number - Post war MB / GPW's were still in service, and would have required parts, etc until their replacement.

Post WW2 Willys produced the M38 - Did they supply an onboard tool kit with a FSN marked screw driver

Sound advice Don - Took me four years of searching to obtain mine

Len

[d42jeep]

The eBay photos from my new extra heavy duty ink marked Irwin screwdriver clearly show the results of how the factory dipped the screwdriver in shellac.
-Don

[Rustman]

Don,

Great photos there! Shellac is a relatively fragile finish to apply to tools. It is dissolved by alcohol rather readily. So it's no wonder there isn't a lot of shellac still on screw driver handles now. But it's also a really easy finish for the home restorer to apply.

Matt

[G506]

Good morning everyone,
I thought I would update you on my progress. Attached is a photo of the finished article.

I went with Ash, which was nice to work with. The rivets are 6mm (1/4'') nails with both ends cut off, which mostly worked ok, but after gently peening over resulted in a larger visible head than I would have liked.
I also attempted to coat it in Shellac, but that was a big fat fail, so I cheated and varnished instead (sorry ).
As you can probably tell from the photo I'm no professional word-worker, so be gentle

To all, a really big thanks for your input and suggestions!

Have a great weekend,
Mark