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Old 12-10-2015, 04:02 PM
doctordotcalm doctordotcalm is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2015
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Historic Randall Model 1

A Rare, Vintage, Randall "All Purpose Fighting" Knife Pictures Here: http://hartford.craigslist.org/atq/5352781733.html
Randall Knives are legendary. If you want to buy a new one, the wait is approximately five years, and unlike this one, that knife will have no history. This Model One, with an eight inch blade came directly from the estate of the 93 year old widow of the gentleman who carried it in World War Two, and perhaps used it beyond that. Here are some details:
The sheath is a Moore made (all sheaths were contracted by Randall and this is an early one) model completely stitched and identifiable by the absense of throat rivets. The sharpening stone is a Norton, old, but not the original issue, replaced due to loss, breakage, or the owner's grit preference. Overall the sheath is in very good condition showing the expected edge wear from actual field use.
The blade is sharp, has no edge flaws or chips, and is stamped "Randall Made / Spfld, MASS" which tells us that this knife was one of only 1058 commissioned by Randall to be produced in Northampton, Mass from 1943 to 1945, in order to meet the wartime demand. It is evidently carbon steel, with minor spots which I feel could be polished out, but that are typical of all high carbon tool steel blades of this age.
The handle is made of bone, which is unusual. The Randall factory handle of this model were usually produced with the stacked leather handals, but today many different style and material handles are available. One wonders if the handle on this knife was a prototype customization, a replacement for a worn or damaged leather grip, or a later replacement by the owner. What's interesting is that the finger grip pattern seems identical to modern custom antler and fossil ivory handles availble from Randall today. Washers and pommel seem to have been replaced to fit the bone handle as well.
The Guard is original brass and in solid condition, again with the bruises and character of realtime use.
Randalls were not government issue, but were the preferred knife of warriors in WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, and wars since, right up to the present day. Brig. Gen James Gavin carried one in WWII and so did Gen. Westmorland in Viet Nam (his is also pictured with a "white" handel).
This particular knife is a fine example of what helped make the legend, and needs now to put into the hands of someone who will fully appreciate and preserve it.
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