Registered: 10/31/07
Posts: 7437
Loc: Garden Valley, Idaho
It would also be interesting to know who actually ordered that Model 5 . I'd bet if the General knew he could have had ST, he would have wanted that option. Assume it is 01 steel? Please list the options. Great detective work.
Pap
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Mike Allen RKCC-CM-086 True West Magazine Maniac Randall Collector Behring Made Collector Ruana Collector Glock Fan NRA- Life Member since 1975 mikenlu99@aol.com
Registered: 02/09/16
Posts: 5791
Loc: Central New York
This is one heck of a historical thread one of many recents. Wally, great job and detective work while still showing respect to the family. It looks like you have piqued their interest in cooperation. More to come but you deserve accolades for your contribution.
Yes, tool steel, 6 in blade, Ivory, NS double hilt, 7 spacers, model 5. I believe the knife was a gift, and I know who to ask. The General "intrusted" the knife to a close friend of his, when he lived in his home in Charleston, SC. The General's last year's were spent in a retirement facility.
I have been watching the progression of this "project" you have been working on with great interest and admiration. I have spent the better part of my collecting life working on the often very difficult task of gathering any history available on a knife. You have done a stellar job!!
I went thru the "sock drawer" period long, long ago and no longer have too much interest in collecting mint knives unless there is a story with it or some rarity. Otherwise, named and/or carried knives rule the day for me. Aside from the fact that this is Westmorland's knife, I would take this knife if it could be attributed to a serviceman of any stature (as long as I could document it) over a "new" one that sat in a drawer for 45 years. This has been my evolution in collecting.
I will say this again as I have many times, the BEST, I repeat the BEST Randall knives I have seen are carried pieces. Case in point, Mitchell's recent acquisition of his Zacharias fighter and Will Talbot's purchase of the Harold "Tex" Mahaffey model 15.
It is a very good thing that you've done Wally. Great work. I too would support a club build of the General's knife but sorry Eric....no sawteeth. Add those and it isn't the General's Randall anymore. Would hope that it had the 7 spacers as well!
Everyone, Just got off the phone with the captain.He will arrive home around midnight.He has chores in the morning.More will be revealed tomorrow afternoon.
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Billy Poyner RKCC CM 021 RKS 5030 NRA Endowment
Registered: 09/14/05
Posts: 12867
Loc: Central Florida
Hey everybody, Got in @ 1:00 AM...(Whew!) A very long 2 days..."but"...(Can't help myself) so very much worth it!! I will work on editing, cropping, contrasting, mid-tone adjusting and any other type of "tweaking" needed to get the photos done this afternoon. This entire "trek" will be a great "KNIFE KNEWS" story for our fall edition! More on that over on the RKCC (club's) forum later on. I'll get back to you shortly with the photos. I have over 50 to sort out! ...patience! Capt. Chris
Edited by Captain Chris Stanaback (07/19/1608:00 AM)