Show us your Randalls

I can't confirm the date range without using a book.

I was commenting on the condition of the knife's sheath compared with the story.
 
If you want to be sure what you are getting you will need to check the sharpening stone, and sheath makings.

It could be a RMK from that period, but to confirm war service you would want proof not a story.
 
Thanks for the info....I will see if I can find markings on the sheath. Unfortunately the stone is not included. I guess I'm more concerned with it is WW2 era than whether or not it was carried in the war. I don't think I could ever prove the story. What is a good book to use to identify year, model, etc?

Thanks
 
It looks to be an absolutely correct late 1943 / early 1944 configuration Randall Made fighting knife. Do you have a photo of the blade showing the RMK logo stamp?
 
RandyW said:
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I see that knife in my dreams.:thumbup:
 
Netmanmi.

I put it solid 1943. The sheath is most likely by Southern Saddlery. The stone pocket is set up for the long narrow "Lily White Washita" (Much easier to find than a "Norton Soft Arkansas" supplied by the shop just a little later). There is a single and also a multiple Lily White up for sale on e-bay right now.

Best,
 
Ron M, that was my first response too, but wasn't sure when the shop completely did away with the chain link lanyard and went to through-hole only; was it towards the end of 1943, or earlier, IYO? This would be based on documented delivery knives, correct? TIA

Ron_M80; thanks, yes, I'm sold out. :)
 
Hi Shel,

In Hunt's 2nd book Randall Military Models, he publishes some letters in Chapter 8. On page 287 is a letter from Bo to a collector talking about identifying early fighters:

We at the shop can fairly well tell the differences between the current Models # 1, 2 & 3. The changes are subtle and none too prominent, so an ordinary person would have a hard time of it and we (The shop) can only guess within 5-8 years. The very first 1's and 2's, made almost 100% by myself, are recognizable by the unusual bent brass with hole drilled that I had to use for attaching the wrist thing. There are not that many of these around.

Given that Bo started shipping fighters in late '42, I think it's reasonable to assume that the terms "very first" and "not many of these around" would preclude all fighters shipped in 1943 having these links. We also know that Bo didn't make almost all the fighters shipped in 1943 by himself. The sheath "looks" like a Southern Saddlery as opposed to a Heiser or a Moore. If this is the case, then the wrist thong links continued at least into June of '43 as this is when the 1st SS sheaths started coming in. Please note:

1. Although Bo specifically mentions "brass", some percentage of these wrist thing links were made of steel.
2. I mentioned in my previous post that this sheath was set up for the long narrow Lily White Washita. As you know, this stone transitioned to the Norton Soft Arkansas. I have seen fighters with wrist thong links in sheaths set up for the Soft Arkansas, but I've never seen a '44 documented fighter in a sheath set up for the Lily White.

Best,
 
willis said:
Spiggles that...tomohawk with a shilleghly handle...or whatever it is looks like an interesting tool.Did you make it?Along with the spear and Model 25 you look to be well equipped for a traditional lion hunt if the need ever arises.
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Hey Willis,
No the Katemo is made by local tribesmen in the Zambezi valley of Zimbabwe/ Zambia. Its a utility axe, used to dress game, chop wood, self defense and even as a hoe.
The Zulu spear is again, locally made by the Zulu tribe of South Africa. This was used solely for war and hunting.
I prefer my Lion hunting from behind something with a bit more bang.:D
 
Ron,

I was of the understanding that the progression went something like 'No lanyard; brass chain-link; steel chain-link; through-hole.', from early 1943 through late 1943, but wasn't sure if the steel chain-link carried over into early 1944. If I'd given it much thought or research prior to posting, I would've known. :foot:

Thanks again,

-S
 
Shel,

All confirmed with thanks. Your pretty much dead on in your progression. The "old guys" in the know I've talked to (i.e. Mike Johnson, etc) believe that although the brass WTL came first, there was a mixing of steel and brass thereafter until through hole took over. In any event, given Bo's letter I just don't think the WTL came anywhere close to lasting through all of 1943. In this case, if the guy's sheath is set up for a Lily White, I think 1944 is ruled out as well.

Best,

Ron
 
This is my latest addition.It was a standard 1-7 with leather handle and alloy pommel.
The leather and pommel had been damaged by leaking acid from a battery stored near it.
Damage was so bad the tang was visible for about and inch and a half!

I re-handled this with quarter inch thick pieces on black canvas micarta(14 and a half in all),I didnt have a block piece,the pommel from solid brass.

It went from being a write-off to a unique piece.I am happy with how it worked out.-Jay
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zanussi01 said:
I re-handled this with quarter inch thick pieces on black canvas micarta(14 and a half in all),I didnt have a block piece,the pommel from solid brass.
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I really like the way it turned out. Did you glue the "washers" together or are they just compression tight?
 
"Back at you, this is one of my favorite knives !"
Yes! I like it! A good knife is never too much!
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Since it looks like big Bowie's are in, here's mine. (by the way you can find it in the for sale section)

Dan in Sillycon Valley, KA



Randall 12-11 Ivory a.jpg
 
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