[William C Champlin]

I'm trying to disassemble a sword and don't know how to deal with a slotted "nut" screwed on to the tang. Is there a special tool for this? Any advice on this would help.
Thanks, W.
(I'll try to post a picture)

[Sean Flynt]

I think what you want is a pin wrench, but I'm not positive about that term. Anyway, I think what I'd do is just drive a couple of nails into a block of wood and clip off the heads down pretty close to the block. That's a quick DIY pin wrench. Just invert the block, insert the nail ends into the slot and turn. If the nut is too tight, and bends the nails, you can use big nails with the ends slightly flattened after cutting them off. If all else fails, you could secure the hilt in a vise and insert a flathead screw driver into one of the slots at an angle of around 45 degrees, with the head pointed counterclockwise. Then you just start tapping that screwdriver with a hammer to try and get the nut loose enough to use that makeshift pin wrench or some other contraption.

[Sean Flynt]

You could also saw the shafts off a couple of cheap flathead screwdrivers, drill two holes through a block of wood and just insert the round ends of the shafts in those. That would prevent the bent-nail problem.

[Aaron Schnatterly]

Sean has some good ideas. A couple of others would be to use an old bigger screwdriver or a crap chisel and grind a groove to fit your center rod. Another option would be to try a small prybar like would be used to pull tacks or work with furniture - a miniature version of one for shingling.

At any rate, whatever you might be able to improvise to fit both slots at once and turn about that central axis... It's one of those places where not having the right tool really causes some frustration.

[Nathan Robinson]

I've used needle-nosed pliars for this job. They have the benefit of being able to be opened to any width. Simply insert the tips into the grooves and turn. Easy as pie.

[Aaron Schnatterly]

[Jason Dingledine]

If you are a golfer, try using the cleat (for the plastic spikes) key for you shoes. I don't know if the width would be correct or not though.

[M. Taylor]

[William C Champlin]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try getting a pin wrench. Needlenose pliers won't fit into the slots.
W.

[Dan Crowther]

Another name for the tool you're looking for is a "Spanner Wrench". They typically come in three types, slotted, hook, and pin. You're obviously after the slotted type.

You may have difficulty finding these tools at your local hardware store. These fittings are commonly used on bicycle bottom brackets and freewheel assemblies, so check out places that sell bike repair tools.

[William C Champlin]

I finally got around to taking pictures of the finished project. So, here they are (I hope).
William

[G. Scott H.]

Aha! The Windlass Steelcrafts Indian Cavalry Sword. This sword is still offered by Atlana Cutlery. Unfortunately, they don't have a pic of it on their site, but it comes from the factory with shiny dark olive green paint on the guard (as shown in your first photo) and scabbard. A very sleek and utilitarian looking sword. I think you've improved the look tremendously by removing the paint and letting the metal show through. Nice!

[William C Champlin]

I purchased this one from International Military Antiques out of New Jersey. They billed it as a P-1908 recently refurbished. I've included a photo of the wooden grip which is embossed with RFI and a broad arrow. The blade has no marks whatsoever. Pitting on the bowl and scabbard make me belive that those parts at least are authentic. If not, I should have purchased the Atlanta Cutlery sword for $70 or so less.
William

[G. Scott H.]