Following the discussion in general, a couple of thoughts.

Let's give RMK some slack on the use of the word "replica." In general, it can be taken to mean that the Model 17's they were offering to the public were made to be similar to those made for the space program--after all, these knives were not the "same" knives that they made for the government.

Also, we might allow for the fact that designs of most models have evolved over the years. For whatever reasons--maybe some refinements based on user feedback, tweaking the aesthetics of the original design, etc.

This just gives diehard collectors more things to dwell on, discuss and argue about, and more knives to chase as they try to gather example of all variants!

Larry