Tango, A good heads up for all. Like '49 I have changed tires on many of these rims--one 3 part style once a week for about 3 months until I finally located the nail which had been recapped over and kept poking a new hole in the tube
My opinion is that these wheels present their greatest danger when they are being reinflated followed by the ongoing period after inflation. The danger stems from incorrect reassembly and/or damaged parts with the 2 part rims being the most dangerous. Once the tire has been deflated it presents a much lesser risk of injury because there is no air pressure to drive parts into your face etc. This is not to say that reasonable safety practices needn't be followed as the several parts can still release a spring load on the unwary.
All that said, and despite the advantage afforded in field repair, I would no longer even consider using any of these rims--if only due to their age (metal fatigue). Besides, it is a real good work out changing a 10 ply tubless tire somewhere in Baja using three screw drivers, a hammer and a cyl driven air pump--yes I still have one
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