Scott -- Was the handle altered or entirely replaced after leaving the shop? Maybe no way to know but I'm just trying to figure out the extent of the post shop alteration. I'm told that the seller did not say anything about the knife being altered.

Do you think the stone pouch was removed much later given the color and condition?
Really nice vintage 2 Joe.

My guess is sometime during the war. Aside from the natural darkening associated with exposure to the elements, the sheath obviously shows carry and is darkened but that could also be done by leather treatment.

I have seen more that a couple like this from various makers even as late as the 60's-70-s

Joe,

Can you post a photo of the butterfly stitching on the backside?

Also, There were no retainer straps going through slots during WWII. Any idea of why this sheath has them?



Thanks,

Done probably when the original located high on belt loop was rendered unusable, soldier added because if carried upside down as is common on web gear the knife would drop to the hilt.

It didn't take Moore too long to drop the keeper towards the throat and Hesier followed suit.


I don't think i have a photo of the back. What is your thought?

Jim, the knife was altered after it left the shop, not rehandled...

Since Moore did not mark his sheaths and there are unmarked Heiser and Johnson sheaths out there, there are two "tells" that can help the collector (One on the obverse side and one on the reverse side): The obverse tell is Moore's stone pocket flap that is "contoured" around the snap. In this case the tell was removed by virtue of the pocket and flap being removed. The reverse tell is that Moore's butterfly wings remain "separated" all the way to the bottom while both Heiser and Johnson wings "merge" at the bottom. Can you please take and post a photo of this sheath's butterfly? That will certainly put my mind to rest as to whether the era of the knife and sheath are aligned.

Thanks in advance.......

Ron -

It is a Clarence Moore, 100%. I never had any doubt whatsoever. It is typical of a WWII model 2 Moore.

Heiser construction is different than Moore as you know, and not just visuals like stone pouch flap. Totally different shape, stitching, rivets (most), etc.

I don't recall ever seeing a WWII model 2 in a Heiser sheath w/o rivets.

I don't have a photo of the back of this particular sheath, but this photo is of Moore that is of the same construction in the butterfly

A whole bunch of knives left that shop with drill holes plugged and easily visible Scott.