Hi CB919ER
You may think your story is not entertaining but I don't, so why don't you let others be the judge. Don't condemn yourself.
I found it great you are getting some useful work from your car. And it looks great in the photos too.
So the engine kicked back when you were cranking. No not unusual. I grew up on a farm before self starters and power steering. One very quickly learned to hold ones thumbs over the outer of the crank. And without power steering the steering wheel would kick like the crank and likewise one learned to keep thumbs folded on the outer wheel. You keep those stories coming.