Haha i aint gonna lie to you crutch ive read that article like 6 times in the past few days haha

That's the best article on Brown Micarta that you can possibly find. I have it saved in my research files and refer to it weekly.

Late 60's to Early 70's. The black micarta has turned a beautiful brown. Not many made like this would be my guess.

That actually looks brown in the photo. Generally the black will take on a greenish hue as the base material i.e. linen or canvas yellows.

The RESIN is what give the handle the color, that doesn't change. In other words, black does not change to brown.

Without having in hand it sure looks brown.

Thanks Joe, I hope you are right. I just assume black micarta when it comes to examples with unlined thong hole handles. Brown examples are so rare. Thanks again!

That actually appears to be brown micarta Eric. I think what is throwing you off about this package is the small rivet sheath vs. handle material. I feel that it is a "KIT" blade handled in old brown canvas micarta with the sheath.

Reduced, squared single hilt, thumb notches on the spine and the radiused handle all scream "KIT".

Tattoo Bill, Maybe, but I have never heard of an unlined thong hole that matches all the Randall examples I have seen in a kit knife. The blade has been cleaned.

Could also quite possibly have been "customized" by a previous owner.

If it's any help at all, here's my brown 14--seems like the color is pretty much like yours (though the surface pattern makes it look like they cut the micarta block at a different angle). I tried to get some pics of the thong hole, if that is any help.

Here is a closer shot of the #15