Vietnam Randall's

P

pauldulson

Joined
Mar 22, 2000
Messages
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I am interested in learning more about Randall knife types used by soldiers /airmen / sailor's during the Vietnam conflict.
Apart from model's 1,2,11,14,15,18 does anyone know of any other Randall model's that made their way to South East Asia in the 1960's and 1970's ? Any configuration detail's would also be interesting.
Paul.
 
I personally "toted" a model 18 crutchtip.....but I had a fellow advisor about 15 "clicks" away who carried a model 3 with stag handle....also crossed paths with an intel sergeant who had a model 19 with leather handle.... Of course, one constantly sees the moniker of "Vietnam era" when referring to older Randalls in in that grouping you'll see mostly 1's and 2's but who knows?

:)
 
Thanks jimsbowies, you just managed to increase my
want's list by two.
Don't see original items over here too often so I am collecting together a group of 'Types ' used.
I managed to get hold of a later Model 18 last month , early 1970's I was told , but who know's .
Weekend's coming up and got an all too rare gun show to go to on Sunday, let's see what turns up .
Thanks again ,
Paul.
 
During my tour in-country, I have seen just about every configuration of Randall imaginable being toted over there. The most popular models were of course the 1's, 2's, 14's, 15's, and 18's, but I also saw quite a few model 12 Bowie's of different configurations, and a lot of guys carried "hunting" models like 3's, 5's, and 7's. Most Randalls carried in-country had leather or micarta handles. I saw very few "fancy" handles other than Gen. Westmoreland's ivory handled #1. (He probably used the damn thing to pick his toenails). Hope that helps.

Richard
 
Thank's Richard ,
yes that help's , a Model 12 now added to my want's list.I managed to aquire a micarta handled Model 5 last weekend, not old but really nice.
Thank's again.
Paul.
 
I presently own a Veitman era 12-6" Sportsman. It has a Nickel Silver guard, SS blade, Micarta handle, compass in the butt, and it's in a Johnson riveted sheath. I've owned a lot of Randall's from that era but this is the only one I've seen in that configuration.

As far as the exotic handles from that era, I've seen very very few that were original. I know several people that are having standard models rehandled, mostly with Ivory. I don't agree with this but I guess as long as they don't try to pass them off as original, they can do what they want.

I would also advise anyone buying older Randall's to make sure they know what they're looking at. I was at a big show two weeks ago and seen three different fakes.

Perry (Knifekid) :D
 
Thanks Perry ,
A friend had a model 15 which had a Johnson sheath ( no rivet's) and someone had drilled out rather clumsily the brass thong tube from the finger grip handle, we think in an effort to fool a potential buyer into thinking this was an older Knife.It came unseen as part of a trade so he wasn't too worried. He moved it on some weeks later making sure to advise the buyer that this mod' had been done.It was still a nice user Randall.
Paul.
 
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