Picked up a M1942 USMC Handcart

[mit31]

This was an ebay item that I picked up locally down in Oceanside, near Camp Pendleton. Click for larger image.

The cart itself is complete and in pretty good shape, left rim is rusted through, right rim is in good shape. It is of course missing the tonge and drawbar. ID plate is intact but REALLY corroded. From what I recall the SN is visible, but not much else. I haven't started to think about restoring it; I've seen sources for tires on here, but I know finding a replacement for that wheel is going to suck. Be nice to get this restored one day.

[frenchman]

hello
look like this rim could be saved remember this is not a tubeless tire you are going to mount just my 2cents
frenchman

[mit31]

That would be great, and I have not ruled it out yet. My only concern is that it will likely be bearing 100-200 pounds when we take it to displays; maybe some day a reenactment or two, and I dont want to get it out somewhere and crack the rim. But we'll see!

hello
look like this rim could be saved remember this is not a tubeless tire you are going to mount just my 2cents
frenchman

[philbrinson]

My Cart's rims looked decent until I cleaned them up and then I had a lot of similar problems. I did some cosmetic repair using JB Weld and they have held up OK so far, and the cart has been used quite a bit. As Frenchman said, they are tubed tires and don't take a lot of load. These use motorcycle tires and I believe that the rims can be obtained from that source if required; I think Harley, but there are experts out there who can confirm.
(handcartz.com)

Reproduction drawbar and parts for the tongue are availble as well as MG mounts.

Phil

[Craig Johnson]

Nice Cart. It looked pretty bad on EBAY but your photos show that it was not a pile of rust.

Here is a tire that would look pretty good on the cart. This is the same tread pattern found on 18" Cart rims.

http://www.cokertire.com/400-19-coker-c ... tread.html

The correct tires are 19" with the chevrons in the middle.



There are also a couple of carts with this pattern tread, but the tires are dated 1951.

Anybody want to step up and claim this cart so I can put it on my list.



The Lunette is almost identical and you shouldnt even give it a second thought using Ed Snyders reproduction. Everything is welded together instead of riveted like the M3A4 so its actually an easier build.



I dont have a better picture right now but the Tongue would be pretty easy to fabricate.



As far as rims I do know for sure that 18" cart rims are Harley. 18' rims will either be Interchangeable or 45 rims. I cant say for sure if the rims on the Marine Carts are Harley. Just never thought to research that yet.

[mit31]

Thanks for the advice, and great info guys! I will probably dust this off and start work in the Spring. Looking at the schematic, you are right... I can probably make a tongue, and get the lunette/drawbar from Ed. I'd LOVE to put MG brackets on it too, but I've heard how expensive they are and that would be cost prohibitive. That coker tire looks good but WOW did I not expect the price to be that high. I'll try to save that rim and see how it turns out.

[Craig Johnson]

Remember the schematic is for an M3A4. I just posted it so when I said Lunette ect you knew what I meant.

Eds lunette is about $100. The price of brass went up so his foundry raised the prices.

Will get better pictures up soon.

[SteveG]

Craig,
The cart on the Epoxy painted floor used to be mine. I recognize my stuff in the pic. Don't know where it went when I sold it anymore. Sorry.
Steve Gregori