- Joined
- Aug 9, 2000
- Messages
- 374
Here are two photos of one of the three original Applegate Stilettos. This knife is in my personal Randall collection. The blade is 7-1/4 inches long. The sheath is a wide-throated Clarence Moore sheath that was definitely made during WWII. Clarence Moore was an Orlando resident that had a leather shop in the back of the Bumby Hardware store. He made sheaths for Bo from 1937 until the early 50's. After the photos read the article by Bob Gaddis from an early RKS newsletter.
GADDIS: APPLEGATE STILETTO
Throughout 1942 and 1943 America's Armed Forces grew rapidly, and many of these men were ordering Randall combat knives. Early on, Bo became acutely aware
that most of these new owners had received little or no knife fighting instruction during their military training. He soon began including a "directions for using" leaflet with each combat knife, the information having been gathered from various judo instructors who had visited him. These instructions were somewhat amateurish and he felt frustrated by not being able to be of more help to the purchasers of his knives.
A solution to Bo's dilemma appeared in the latter part of 1943 with the release of Major (now Col. retired) Rex Applegate's book "Kill Or Get Killed". Rex had only recently stepped out of the shadows of OSS (Office of Strategic Services) and Army Intelligence. He was a leading expert on the techniques of close combat, both military and civilian. Colonel William Donovan, head of the World War II OSS had entrusted Rex with the setting up of the first OSS school for this type of training. He had received some of his knowledge through personal instruction from the famed W.E. Fairbairn and William Sykes, both senior instructors for the British Commandos.
Rex's book was, in essence, the close quarter combat training program he had devised for the Army Intelligence Combat Section at Camp Richie, Maryland. One complete chapter was devoted to the use of a fighting knife. Best of all, this book included scores of clear illustrations, many being found in the fighting knife chapter.
Then the December 1943 issue of Infantry Journal ran a lengthy article by Major Applegate titled "Knife Fighting". This was a condensed and rewritten version of the chapter in his book.
Bo was unaware of the availability of this expert information until Major Rex Applegate wrote to him on February 1, 1944 and enclosed a copy of his new book. Rex had seen one of Bo's knives, plus read an article about his knife making in Science Mechanics magazine. The good Major was also interested in a new combat knife design of his own, and we shall get to this story shortly. The last paragraph of Bo's reply letter addressed his desires to furnish his customers with better knife handling instructions than he was presently able to provide. He ended by asking for Rex's ideas in this respect.
Through correspondence over the next few weeks a new instruction leaflet was conceived and began to take form. Rex furnished some material, including a couple pages of text. Bo's writing pretty well followed the material in Rex's book, though much condensed. Rex had given his permission to use parts of the knife fighting directions contained in both his book and magazine article. Reprinting permission was then obtained from his publishers, including the usage of the necessary photographs. Bo now sought the help and advice of his long time friend Edwin Granberry, author and college professor. Prof. Granberry leaped into this project with both feet, and Bo soon noted in a letter that " ...he practically rewrote the entire booklet."
Assistance was also given by Capt. George Bird Metcalf, of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, former commanding officer of the Marine Corp Raider Replacement School. A number of his views on the subject were included in the booklet. A bit of worldliness was imparted in a forward written by E.R.H. Pollak, Wing Commander, Royal Air Force. Special acknowledgment was given to Major Rex Applegate in Bo's author notes on page 2. The first printing of 2000 copies was ready by the end of May 1944, and Bo immediately began including one with each combat knife sent out. This practice of furnishing a copy with each Model #1 and #2, and in latter years Models #14 and #15, continued into the early 1960's. By then there were quite a few military and civilian publications covering the topic.
This little booklet of basic instruction has been published continuously from mid-1944 to the present, with but a few changes and/or additions. In 1955 the cover picture was changed from an early World War 11 style Model #1 to one of modern make. By the mid-1970's an additional 25 pages were added to the original 35 by incorporating the chapter on Knife Attack and Defense from Rex's book. Col. Applegate was included as co-author at this time.
Now lets return to that combat knife design which Rex Applegate wrote about in his original letter of February 1st 1944. He had included with his book the prototype of a knife of his own design. It was similar in style to the Fairbairn-Sykes British Commando knife, but with some important improvements. This prototype was to be returned after Bo had made a thorough examination. He did that on February 8th, and included a letter.
A week later another package arrived from Rex. He was sending a similar knife, but this one wasn't finished to his liking. It needed to have a metal butt cap to give it the proper balance. Could Bo make up similar knives with the necessary changes? If so, they should be of interest to the students he was instructing at Camp Richie. Yes he could and a new project like this always got Bo's interest and attention. On February 22nd he wrote to Rex; "I have finished a copy of your blade, and should be able to get a handle later this week. When it is finished, I am going to send it to you." This he did quite soon, and at no charge. Rex appreciated this "close quarter" knife as Bo termed it, but was still able to think up a refinement or two. He had an accurate drawing made and sent it with his request for another knife. This drawing looked so interesting that Bo had Mr. Carl Christensen, his 62-year old master forger, start on a small batch of blades right away. He was able to ship off three of these new knives, with hone pouch style sheaths, on April 5, 1944. The invoice describes them as: "6-1/4" Randall Made - Applegate 'Close Combat' fighting knives". He sent these to Rex on consignment, requesting $19.00 each when sold.
Surprising as it seems now, Rex was not able to sell these knives at Camp Richie. He returned them in early June 1944 so that they could find owners from among the men visiting Bo's shop. About eight more "Applegate Stilettos", as they were termed, are noted in the journal records from April 1944 through March 1945.
In early 1990 one of these "Applegate Stilettos" turned up from a New England Antique Gun dealer and was purchased by Mr. Rhett Stidham, founder of the Randall Knife Society of America. This knife is shown here and it closely matches a 1944 photo of Rex's original Camp Richie prototype, and was thoroughly examined by Col. Applegate in April 1990. He pronounced it as genuine. The guard and butt cap are brass and the handle is leather washers. The blade is marked with the familiar "Randall Made, Orlando, Fla." Both Rex and this author believe the deep groove around the brass butt cap end is where a wrist thong was tied.
The friendship which was started in January 1944 between America's premier knife maker and top close combat instructor, continued until Bo passed on in December 1989. Through years of mutual cooperation and respect, they built a solid comradeship without ever meeting face to face. They were true pen-pals as they followed each others growing reputation over the years. Finally, on March 26, 1986 these two old friends met in person at Randall Made Knives in Orlando Florida. The next few hours were an eventful time as these two professionals rapidly progressed from reminiscing about the past to an animated discussion of new designs for combat cutlery. The hours passed as a short but momentous moment for we who were fortunate to be present. And the significance of this occasion was validated by the craftsmen in the Randall shop who gathered around Bo and Rex to have personal copies of The Fighting Knife booklet autographed by both of these great gentlemen. //// All rights to this article reserved by Bob Gaddis and may not be reprinted without his permission.
Best regards,
Rhett Stidham
GADDIS: APPLEGATE STILETTO
Throughout 1942 and 1943 America's Armed Forces grew rapidly, and many of these men were ordering Randall combat knives. Early on, Bo became acutely aware
that most of these new owners had received little or no knife fighting instruction during their military training. He soon began including a "directions for using" leaflet with each combat knife, the information having been gathered from various judo instructors who had visited him. These instructions were somewhat amateurish and he felt frustrated by not being able to be of more help to the purchasers of his knives.
A solution to Bo's dilemma appeared in the latter part of 1943 with the release of Major (now Col. retired) Rex Applegate's book "Kill Or Get Killed". Rex had only recently stepped out of the shadows of OSS (Office of Strategic Services) and Army Intelligence. He was a leading expert on the techniques of close combat, both military and civilian. Colonel William Donovan, head of the World War II OSS had entrusted Rex with the setting up of the first OSS school for this type of training. He had received some of his knowledge through personal instruction from the famed W.E. Fairbairn and William Sykes, both senior instructors for the British Commandos.
Rex's book was, in essence, the close quarter combat training program he had devised for the Army Intelligence Combat Section at Camp Richie, Maryland. One complete chapter was devoted to the use of a fighting knife. Best of all, this book included scores of clear illustrations, many being found in the fighting knife chapter.
Then the December 1943 issue of Infantry Journal ran a lengthy article by Major Applegate titled "Knife Fighting". This was a condensed and rewritten version of the chapter in his book.
Bo was unaware of the availability of this expert information until Major Rex Applegate wrote to him on February 1, 1944 and enclosed a copy of his new book. Rex had seen one of Bo's knives, plus read an article about his knife making in Science Mechanics magazine. The good Major was also interested in a new combat knife design of his own, and we shall get to this story shortly. The last paragraph of Bo's reply letter addressed his desires to furnish his customers with better knife handling instructions than he was presently able to provide. He ended by asking for Rex's ideas in this respect.
Through correspondence over the next few weeks a new instruction leaflet was conceived and began to take form. Rex furnished some material, including a couple pages of text. Bo's writing pretty well followed the material in Rex's book, though much condensed. Rex had given his permission to use parts of the knife fighting directions contained in both his book and magazine article. Reprinting permission was then obtained from his publishers, including the usage of the necessary photographs. Bo now sought the help and advice of his long time friend Edwin Granberry, author and college professor. Prof. Granberry leaped into this project with both feet, and Bo soon noted in a letter that " ...he practically rewrote the entire booklet."
Assistance was also given by Capt. George Bird Metcalf, of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, former commanding officer of the Marine Corp Raider Replacement School. A number of his views on the subject were included in the booklet. A bit of worldliness was imparted in a forward written by E.R.H. Pollak, Wing Commander, Royal Air Force. Special acknowledgment was given to Major Rex Applegate in Bo's author notes on page 2. The first printing of 2000 copies was ready by the end of May 1944, and Bo immediately began including one with each combat knife sent out. This practice of furnishing a copy with each Model #1 and #2, and in latter years Models #14 and #15, continued into the early 1960's. By then there were quite a few military and civilian publications covering the topic.
This little booklet of basic instruction has been published continuously from mid-1944 to the present, with but a few changes and/or additions. In 1955 the cover picture was changed from an early World War 11 style Model #1 to one of modern make. By the mid-1970's an additional 25 pages were added to the original 35 by incorporating the chapter on Knife Attack and Defense from Rex's book. Col. Applegate was included as co-author at this time.
Now lets return to that combat knife design which Rex Applegate wrote about in his original letter of February 1st 1944. He had included with his book the prototype of a knife of his own design. It was similar in style to the Fairbairn-Sykes British Commando knife, but with some important improvements. This prototype was to be returned after Bo had made a thorough examination. He did that on February 8th, and included a letter.
A week later another package arrived from Rex. He was sending a similar knife, but this one wasn't finished to his liking. It needed to have a metal butt cap to give it the proper balance. Could Bo make up similar knives with the necessary changes? If so, they should be of interest to the students he was instructing at Camp Richie. Yes he could and a new project like this always got Bo's interest and attention. On February 22nd he wrote to Rex; "I have finished a copy of your blade, and should be able to get a handle later this week. When it is finished, I am going to send it to you." This he did quite soon, and at no charge. Rex appreciated this "close quarter" knife as Bo termed it, but was still able to think up a refinement or two. He had an accurate drawing made and sent it with his request for another knife. This drawing looked so interesting that Bo had Mr. Carl Christensen, his 62-year old master forger, start on a small batch of blades right away. He was able to ship off three of these new knives, with hone pouch style sheaths, on April 5, 1944. The invoice describes them as: "6-1/4" Randall Made - Applegate 'Close Combat' fighting knives". He sent these to Rex on consignment, requesting $19.00 each when sold.
Surprising as it seems now, Rex was not able to sell these knives at Camp Richie. He returned them in early June 1944 so that they could find owners from among the men visiting Bo's shop. About eight more "Applegate Stilettos", as they were termed, are noted in the journal records from April 1944 through March 1945.
In early 1990 one of these "Applegate Stilettos" turned up from a New England Antique Gun dealer and was purchased by Mr. Rhett Stidham, founder of the Randall Knife Society of America. This knife is shown here and it closely matches a 1944 photo of Rex's original Camp Richie prototype, and was thoroughly examined by Col. Applegate in April 1990. He pronounced it as genuine. The guard and butt cap are brass and the handle is leather washers. The blade is marked with the familiar "Randall Made, Orlando, Fla." Both Rex and this author believe the deep groove around the brass butt cap end is where a wrist thong was tied.
The friendship which was started in January 1944 between America's premier knife maker and top close combat instructor, continued until Bo passed on in December 1989. Through years of mutual cooperation and respect, they built a solid comradeship without ever meeting face to face. They were true pen-pals as they followed each others growing reputation over the years. Finally, on March 26, 1986 these two old friends met in person at Randall Made Knives in Orlando Florida. The next few hours were an eventful time as these two professionals rapidly progressed from reminiscing about the past to an animated discussion of new designs for combat cutlery. The hours passed as a short but momentous moment for we who were fortunate to be present. And the significance of this occasion was validated by the craftsmen in the Randall shop who gathered around Bo and Rex to have personal copies of The Fighting Knife booklet autographed by both of these great gentlemen. //// All rights to this article reserved by Bob Gaddis and may not be reprinted without his permission.
Best regards,
Rhett Stidham