Ron -

Not really sure where you are going with this to be honest. It is ok to have different opinions, but reaching with things like "one customer's request for a knife with a special guard", apparently according to your timeline prior even to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and "I'm saying I think the sheath construction changed with the offering of a stone pocket", both points apparently to suit your explanation of what is a knife described clearly in Gaddis as being made most probably in the latter half of 1942 being made in 1940.

Wouldn't it make more sense that the sheath style changed along with the style and purpose of the knife being made? Just saying.

In any case, I have examined John's knife several times and don't argue it is "pre war" for the most part. Could it be from 1942? Possibly, but most likely it is a bit earlier.

I only made the statement relative to the photo of the 1940 knives in Gaddis because I saw a bit of change in the blade grind with the lack of a top bevel compared to those in the photo. I will reiterate again because it apparently is not getting through, blade grinds as you know were not real consistent for the most part during the early years so it is difficult to pin down. Just an observation on my part. That's all.

Brian's knife obviously has an exaggerated top bevel with the intent of it being a fighting knife. To be sharpened, which it is, it would almost necessitate that type of bevel. All "Commando" type knives are like this.

You and I will disagree on the sheath construction at this point until a pre-war knife in what we are calling an "A" sheath shows up with a field knife blade in it. The earliest one I have seen is the Zach sheath with NO stone pouch. I have given ample examples of the earliest Moore "A" sheaths known and all have fighting knives in them. Brian's knife is the only fighter I have seen in a Moore pancake style.

I don't know where I am contradicting myself but I guess you see it somewhere. As far as we know the impetus for Bo to make a fighting knife, any fighting knife, came in June 1942 when Lt. Zacharias came into the shop. Bo experimented during the latter half of 1942 with other blade styles i.e. Brian's knife, but by the time 1943 rolled around, it was pretty much a done deal. Remember, only 28 knives made during that first 6 month period. Although Bo did make a few "custom" order knives like Commando models later in the war, they were few and far between. Heck, he didn't even have one in the museum and made one post war with a peened tang to fill the void!

I am not gonna debate Bo's memory, what was or was not the topic of conversation between Gaddis and Bo, or what was deemed more important than something else when Gaddis had discussions with Bo about what information was to be included in his book. Writer's privilege.