Perhaps, but the blade grind appears a bit later than that when compared to those pictured in photo 43 in Gaddis of 1940 knives. That being said, the "fancy" spacer arrangements are a variable in my eyes. You recall the Henckles carver I sold you had around 18 spacers to include copper and brass, "fancier" than both yours and John's knives. Not as large in diameter as a knife with a hilt would have, but the quantity was there. So again, it is a variable to me, as are allot of things RMK.

Not sure how you get no later than 1940. Using the 16 June 1942 as the pre-post war line, that sheath could easily have been made until mid-1942. Unless I am misunderstanding your line of thinking, but it appears you are saying the Zach fighter was the impetus for the "A" style sheath? So from 1940 until mid 1942, what style of sheath did RMK's come in if not pancake style?

Brian's knife is post 16 June 1942 and it is in a pancake style sheath, so I don't think it is accurate to say all knives during that period were delivered in "A" style sheaths. Could have just been old habits for Moore when making the sheath for Brian's knife based on blade design. Who knows.