Model 1 Randall -need help dating it :)

[Burningincense]

Hi just picked up this Randall model 1-8 with what I believe is the commando style handle. The knife has never been used and looks beautiful and sheath is near mint. Has the name of a man engraved in the blade. I was told he was in Vietnam . Can anyone help with dating this knife? I removed the sharpening stone which I believe I was the first person to ever take it out. It is a 2 tone stone and printed in white it reads: " combination crystolon made in u.s. of a. ". With my little knowledge I figured by the stone it was between 1962-1967....anyone know more specifically?

 

[Melvin-Purvis]

Burning, welcome.

Nice knife. Based on the stone type/marking color and sheath snap type (and maker) 1962 into 1964 would be your bookends.

Hope that helps.

SW

p.s. Edit your post and upgrade your membership to Gold level before mentioning potential sales here please. Seller level memberships are what pays the bills and keeps the website running; i.e. you're not authorized to sell on BFC at this point...

 

[clk]

My guess at the year made:
The sheath is a Brown Button and I think it is a Heiser, not a Johnson, based on the stamp and placement of the keeper snap. Heiser Brown Button sheaths ended in the early 60's.
The spacers, from a distance, look like they are burgundy/red with would date the knife from late 50's to early 70's.
Hone stones are one of the least accurate ways to date a knife and sheath. They come out of a bin and the first in can be the last out.
So I am guessing your knife is early 1960's knife.

 

[Burningincense]

Hi thanks guys for the info. I edited my listing and took the mention of any sales The name on the blade...did they ever keep records of who they were made for ?

Thanks

 

[Jacknola]

This is a Heiser-made sheath with the left facing Randall stamp, numbers, center keeper stud, etc., and other clear characteristics of the breed. This sheath was made by Heiser between early 1959 and end of 1962. Based on that, AND the characteristics of the knife... the pointed shape of the clip, the guard, the elongated handle, the choil, I would guess that this knife was probably late 1959 or 1960. Outside date is 1961-62 at latest but I doubt it is that young.

I checked obits for Thomas B Martin. One person stands out. Here is a link. He was from the Boston area, proud member of USMC, successful, and involved with wounded warriors project. No mention of Vietnam service. He was born in 1937... and given he graduated from college before joining, it would be normal to have entered the service in about '58-'59, serving three or four years in the USMC ... which would correspond to the estimated date of the knife. If it is important, you could contact close family members listed in obit and ask about the knife.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/so...b-martin&pid=161659647&fhid=15235#fbLoggedOut

"Thomas B. Martin of Holbrook and Braintree, passed away Dec. 10, 2012. He was 75. Tom graduated from St. Sebastions High School and Boston College and then proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps."