Replies

1. 
   fussy | May 11, 2008 06:06am | #1

   Moose,

   I googled sword shadow boxes and came up with this at http://www.texastrophies .com. Hope the picture came across, but if not, it's easy enough to find.

   Thanks for being one of "Uncle Sam's Misguided Children", and thanks for your service.   Sorry you got hurt, but glad you made it back from the sand box.

   Steve

   There are two secrets to keeping one's wife happy.

   1.  Let her think she's having her own way.

   2.  Let her have her own way. President  Lyndon Baines Johnson

2. 
   joinerswork | May 12, 2008 08:50pm | #2

   Jeremy,

   Last year, I made a sword shadowbox for my son's sword, medals, marksmanship awards,  EGA and the French fourragere.

   I just measured the outside all length of the sword,and added a few inches each end to get the length. 

    Laid out the medals etc above the sword and scabbard, and added a couple inches top and bottom so it didn't look too crowded- that's the height. 

   The depth of the box is determined by the room needed for the finger guard at the hilt of the sword, I added an inch or so to that, then made allowance for the thickness of glass in front, and the thickness of the backboard (I used 1/4" plywood) plus allowance for attaching the items thru the plywood (another 1/4").  It was about 3 1/2" or so, I believe, but your sword may be different.  My son's was the USMC non-commissioned officer's. 

   The box itself I simply rabbetted the corners together, and glued and nailed them, but you could dovetail, or miter and spline them if you want to. At  the back edge of the box I cut a 1/4" x 1/2" rabbet so the 1/4" thick back could drop in with 1/4" of depth to spare.  That allowed for the catches for the medals and pins, and the attaching wires for the sword to have a little room to stick out.

   Near the front edge of the box, I tacked and glued a thin strip around the inside perimeter, set back the thickness of the glass from the front edge.  The glass is captured between these strips and a thin "frame" (four strips, mitered at their corners), applied to the front edges of the box, overlapping the glass. I simply nailed these on, so as to be able to easily remove them if the glass is broken.

   The back of the box I covered with red felt and taped its edges in back, stretching it tightly as I taped.  Use short pieces of tape, and start at the center of the long sides, working alternately to the ends.  But, before I covered the back, I laid everything out on it, then drilled thru the plywood to allow the pins of the medals to go thru.  I needed to counterbore from the back side a little ( actually, I carved a small depression around each hole) so the pinbacks had enough pin exposed to grab onto.  The sword scabbard and fourragere I attached with brass wire, or silver wire, depending on the color of the metal I was catching with the wire.  Drilled a small hole thru the back above and below the piece, wrapped the wire, and twisted it together in back. I caught the sword at its tip and two or three places on the haft and finger guard so it couldn't twist.  Once the holes are drilled, and the felt in place, just poke the point of an awl thru the holes from the back, to locate them in the front.

   Drop the back into its rabbet, and drive a few brads around the sides to hold it in place.  I covered the whole back then with kraft paper, glued to the back edge of the box to keep dust out.  I put eyelets and hanger wire on the back, to hang it, but it sits on the top of of a cabinet.

   Semper fi,

   Ray, a Marine dad

1. 
   AB | May 13, 2008 02:05am | #3

   Is your son in 3rd bn 6th marines?

1. 
   joinerswork | May 13, 2008 03:33pm | #5

   AB,

   Well, he was in 3/6 Lima co, then weapons, STA .  He was a scout/sniper.  He got out in 2000.  He killed himself in '05.  I gave the sword case to his brother this past Christmas.

   Ray

1. 
   AB | May 14, 2008 02:34am | #7

   I am sure that case will be treasured. I served in 3/6 during the early 80s, I was proud of that fourage.

1. 
   joinerswork | May 14, 2008 03:45pm | #8

   AB,

   Though I saw it only from the sidelines of being a Marine parent, the bond of brotherhood that Marines share is one that I admire and respect most highly.  The rest of us cannot understand it, but just marvel at its strength.  Some of our son's buddies from the Corps still keep in touch with us, there really is something to that Semper Fi thing.

   Take care,

   Ray

2. 
   KiddervilleAcres | May 14, 2008 04:15pm | #9

   Ray,

   You bring up a good point. 

   I've often thought that everyone should experience military boot camp (Basic Training).  It's where the bond begins in every military persons life.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

3. 
   Sean2112 | May 13, 2008 03:37am | #4

   Moose,
   I just wanted to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our country.
   Regards,
   Sean

4. 
   KiddervilleAcres | May 13, 2008 03:35pm | #6

   Jeremy,

   Google sword shadow box and you'll get a bunch of ideas.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!