A Couple Morans

Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones

Joined
Oct 28, 2006
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Here's a couple of Bill Moran Bowies I'm posting up for Bob Betzner. Similar in design and both Lime Kiln era.
Walnut handled classic Moran Bowies. 13 1/2" OAL 8 1/2" BL & 13" OAL 8" BL

DSCN5246.jpg


DSCN5251.jpg


DSCN5235.jpg


DSCN5242.jpg
 
Cool!!! Those are in MUCH better condition than my old Lime Kiln Moran,
 
These appear to be M2 'clip-point bowie' models from Moran's second catalog which was first printed in the late 1960s. The Lime Kiln stamp was used from the mid-1950s until 1973. Thus, these knives were likely made some time during an approximate 5 year period ending in 1973. The M2 model was listed on a price insert sheet with Moran's second catalog in the spring of 1973 as costing $134. These appear to have ebony handles which would've added $6 per knife.

Possibly the owner has more accurate information to share and, of course, every knife has a story to tell.
 
HTMD said:
These appear to be M2 'clip-point bowie' models from Moran's second catalog which was first printed in the late 1960s. The Lime Kiln stamp was used from the mid-1950s until 1973. Thus, these knives were likely made some time during an approximate 5 year period ending in 1973. The M2 model was listed on a price insert sheet with Moran's second catalog in the spring of 1973 as costing $134. These appear to have ebony handles which would've added $6 per knife.

Possibly the owner has more accurate information to share and, of course, every knife has a story to tell.
Click to expand...
Probably rather late in the Lime Kiln period as they have the full height grind. My Airman has the hollow grind, which leads me to belive it was a very early one. You see pics of ones from later in the Vietnam era and they have the full height grind. Mine looks almost exactly like knife #5 in the 1959 brochure pic on page 195 of Master of the Forge. In fact, the overemphasized bulge in the middle of the handle leads me to believe that it could actually be my knife. And it sold for $40 back then...lol.
 
HTMD said:
These appear to be M2 'clip-point bowie' models from Moran's second catalog which was first printed in the late 1960s. The Lime Kiln stamp was used from the mid-1950s until 1973. Thus, these knives were likely made some time during an approximate 5 year period ending in 1973. The M2 model was listed on a price insert sheet with Moran's second catalog in the spring of 1973 as costing $134. These appear to have ebony handles which would've added $6 per knife.

Possibly the owner has more accurate information to share and, of course, every knife has a story to tell.
Click to expand...

I feel these may have a interest story, perhaps the owner will share it.

So the M2 was offered with a selection of blade profiles?
 
Hmmm...lot of brass on those knives. I wonder how that affects desirability in light of all the recent comments discounting the use of brass on custom knives?

FWIW, I am NOT a brass basher, just an observation. Those are cool knives.

Thanks for posting them.

Peter
 
Peter,

In the context of when these knives were made, brass is not a deal breaker. This is a historical piece more than a shining example of art. Moran knives are usually bought and sold in that context.
 
Hello - I am the owner. These knives were acquired YEARS ago, or perhaps I should say decades ago, and put into a safe, not to see the light of day until about a week ago. My brother and I went on a spree during a ten year period and filled up two safes. One safe was completely emptied and sold off last year. I didn't recall there was anything of consequence in the second safe until I got to the second shelf, where these two babies were laying. I have yet to get to the paperwork, which will remind me of their stories, but will share it when I find it!

I will be happy to share even more images with anyone who might be interested in seeing them. I would only need email addresses. I think they are a wonderful part of the history of knifemaking - and I wish to give profuse thanks to HTMD and jdm61 for their input on the knives.


And Kevin, thanks so much for assisting in the beginning of this thread!

Bob

EDIT: Please note that there are two knives shown. One has the makers mark on the blade. The knife with the wider blade (2" wide - 8" long) has the makers mark on the ricasso and the other (1 3/4" wide - 8.5" long) has the mark on the blade, and escutcheon on the handle.

EDIT: The Bowie with escutcheon has a walnut handle and the other a cocobolo handle.
 
Bob,
Too cool!
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to have a glimpse of your treasure.:thumbup:

Doug
 
betzner said:
Hello - I am the owner. These knives were acquired YEARS ago, or perhaps I should say decades ago, and put into a safe, not to see the light of day until about a week ago. My brother and I went on a spree during a ten year period and filled up two safes. One safe was completely emptied and sold off last year. I didn't recall there was anything of consequence in the second safe until I got to the second shelf, where these two babies were laying. I have yet to get to the paperwork, which will remind me of their stories, but will share it when I find it!

I will be happy to share even more images with anyone who might be interested in seeing them. I would only need email addresses. I think they are a wonderful part of the history of knifemaking - and I wish to give profuse thanks to HTMD and jdm61 for their input on the knives.


And Kevin, thanks so much for assisting in the beginning of this thread!

Bob

EDIT: Please note that there are two knives shown. One has the makers mark on the blade. The knife with the wider blade (2" wide - 8" long) has the makers mark on the ricasso and the other (1 3/4" wide - 8.5" long) has the mark on the blade, and escutcheon on the handle.
Click to expand...
Cool! Did you guys have some pics of your knives in Master of the Forge?
 
Master of the Forge was written prior to these two knives being acquired, so they conceivably could be in the book. I suppose I should probably get the book and check out the images. Never occurred to me, thanks.
 
betzner said:
Master of the Forge was written prior to these two knives being acquired, so they conceivably could be in the book. I suppose I should probably get the book and check out the images. Never occurred to me, thanks.
Click to expand...
Actually, I saw the Erickson Collection tag under your name and thought that it sounded familiar.
 
Joe, no, all that "Erickson Collection" means is that the knife in the image (which is Coop's old avatar) is from my collection of Curt Erickson knives, Curt being the maker of the knife in the avatar. I WISH I had enough knives to actually name my collection, LOL>
 
In the first safe, there were four Harvey McBurnette folders, a few Jess Horn folders, several D'Holder My Knives, a couple of Minnicks, and lots of others, can't remember all that were there, that was last year and the old short term memory ain't what it used to be.

Almost everything from safe #1 has departed, but I have a feeling a few of the knives in this second safe will be kept, considering what's there.
 
Don't you just love a good safe story with a happy ending? :)
To bad Geraldo's Al Capone safe story didn't turn out as well. :foot:
Don't think his career ever really recovered from that. ;) :D
 
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