Do these spacers look legitimate to a knowledgeable collector?

G

Gatogordo

Joined
May 31, 2005
Messages
458
This seller has 2 Randall Bowies, a Thorp and a Toothpick on ebay. No sheaths. They have nice stag, both have spacers on each end of stag. I make no claims to being a Randall expert.....do these look "right" to someone who is. BTW, I'm simply "thinking" about bidding on them, so if anyone wants to jump in there, feel free, no harm, no foul. I have NO knowledge about or any relationship with this seller. Here's a link to one of them......use seller's other items if you want to look at the other. Thanks for any advice.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160696599255?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
 
Gatogordo

I am no expert and I realize the auction is over, but here is my guess.

I think the spacers are Burgundy, 3 thick, 2 thin. That would date the knife between the late 50's and early 70's.
The nut on the end of the knife dates to the early 70's and later.
My guess is it is a early 70's knife. Please don't bet your last dollar on this information.
 
Gatogordo said:
This seller has 2 Randall Bowies, a Thorp and a Toothpick on ebay. No sheaths. They have nice stag, both have spacers on each end of stag. I make no claims to being a Randall expert.....do these look "right" to someone who is. BTW, I'm simply "thinking" about bidding on them, so if anyone wants to jump in there, feel free, no harm, no foul. I have NO knowledge about or any relationship with this seller. Here's a link to one of them......use seller's other items if you want to look at the other. Thanks for any advice.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160696599255?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Click to expand...

Hey Fat Cat :D

orig.jpg


Sorry to jump in this after the auction closed, but I just saw your post. That black and white spacer set:

orig.jpg


.............is legit, albiet unusual. You typically see it on very early Bowles scrims or Tom Leshorn embellished Randalls. Here are examples of a Model 3 and a Model 8 that were scrimmed in 1981:

orig.jpg

standard.jpg


Close up of the spacer set:

orig.jpg


Every now and then you see that set on other Randalls from that era. Why those and not the norm? Anyone's guess: Could be the owner made a special request or ? Bottom line is I believe that knife to be OK.

Best,

Ron

PS to Rod: Good to see you on the forum :thumbup:
 
Many thanks for the info, it came too late to help me buy the toothpick but I really appreciate it. I've already got a new stag 'pick so was thinking on that one. It sold for a good but not great price since it had no sheath.
 
OK, this is embarrassing: Mr. know-it-all gets a PM from Rod asking me to take a closer look at the spacers on the toothpick. I do and the two outside spacers are burgandy and not black! Looks like my eyes and ego deceived me! Therefore I say "Move along folks. Nothing to see here except Rod's reply". :(
 
Ron/Rod/the OP - while the actual spacer coloration is as outlined above, and Ron's black & white spacer comments above are also correct, just so's ya know going forward; if you see a black & white spacer combination on a 1970's RMK, this was a common configuration for knives ordered by and sold through Andy Thornal's outfitters, just as red & white was common for Randall knives from the same period ordered and sold through Denmark Sporting Goods of Orlando. I believe I wrote about this.
 
Melvin-Purvis said:
Ron/Rod/the OP - while the actual spacer coloration is as outlined above, and Ron's black & white spacer comments above are also correct, just so's ya know going forward; if you see a black & white spacer combination on a 1970's RMK, this was a common configuration for knives ordered by and sold through Andy Thornal's outfitters, just as red & white was common for Randall knives from the same period ordered and sold through Denmark Sporting Goods of Orlando. I believe I wrote about this.
Click to expand...
Someone should put together a book about this stuff. He'd make millions.;)
 
I do not think that this as a shop supplied handle...but rather a re-handle job. The spacers do appear to me to be black/white, however, the 5 spacers at the buttcap are not RMK standard...now that being said, we have made some mistakes. But, the stag handles of old were taken down to the stag much more prominent at the buttcap than this is, also, the fibers at the lugged hilt are to chopped for that era, or any era. The handle looks to be TOO refined compared to the apparent age of the blade...

IMO

---DW---
 
I purchased this RMK 13-12 & had the opportunity to examine it firsthand. Even as a novice, the handle appeared to have been replaced. The hilt spacers were too square to the hilt, and the top of the hilt was heavily scratched from grinding the old spacers off or finishing the new spacers; not the normal Randall finish. The butt cap flares outward slightly, just like the buttcap on a commando shape handle. The seller was very courteous & immediately refunded the purchase price. This item was relisted on ebay with a note the handle may have been replaced, but did not sell the second time. It seems to me the seller is an honest seller who was simply not aware.
 
I'm very glad that this worked out well for you in the end. Nice to know that the seller was honest enough to make things right with you and other potential buyers.

---DW---
 
Bill, good to see you posting here - it did look kinda funky; something about it just didn't look right. Glad it worked out for you!

Scott, Happy New Year bud! I'm looking forward to stopping by the shop next month - see ya then!
 
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