This is how the letter reads from Tom Clinton on the beginning of his dealer special.
Sometime in 1989 I visited the Randall shop in Orlando.
During my visit with Gary Randall he mentioned I might want to consider a “Dealer Special” with Pete Hamilton’s help he showed me all the current dealer specials. After looking at all of them I thought of the 70’s full tang drop point hunters would be a great “Special” we discussed it with Gary and was advised they weren’t making them anymore. Back to the drawing board…… Next choice was a unique double edge fighter. In the museum there was a knife called the “Moon Knife” witch I liked. Gary agreed and we started planning. It was determined that it would be stainless steel. Seven inches long, trademark parallel with the hilt. Forward curved hilt only, nickel silver only.
The standard “T-C” special has aluminum and black spacers, black micarta commando shape, duralumin coolie cap, and a black model “A” sheath.

Ladies and Gentlemen: could we please see some Clinton specials!!!

Jesse, here is my one T.C.S.

T.C. Special w/fossil walrus ivory.

Jerry

T.C. Special w/rosewood.

Jerry

T.C. Special w/Burma burl.

Jerry

Ironwood & Pure Silver.

See Ya, Chief

I believe the wood on this one is amboyna.


Dan Snyder RKS #5537

Clinton Special with fossil walrus handle, .999% pure fine silver furniture from Precious Metals Fabrication Co. and croc sheath by Greg Gutcher, Sullivan's Holster Shop:




Images © 2008 All Rights Reserved

Regards,
Doug

Howdy Dan,
The handle on your TCS isn't Amboyna. I'm not sure what it is but Tom or Gary Clinton should know. Here is what Amboyna looks like.

"I believe the wood on this one is amboyna"

Dan, I'm pretty sure your handle is Bocote.
Environmental Profile
This species is officially classified as either Extinct, Endangered, Rare, or Vulnerable within its natural habitat in Costa Rica. Inadequate information makes it difficult to assign it to one specific conservation category (Source - World Conservation Monitoring Center - 1992).

The species is reported to be either very rare (21 to 100 occurrences) and local throughout its range, or it is found locally, even abundantly at some of its locations. The species may also be vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other existing but unknown factors (Source - The Nature Conservancy - Rank of relative endangerment based mainly on the number of occurrences of the species worldwide).

Distribution
The species is reported to be distributed from Mexico to Costa Rica, and is also found in Colombia, Florida, and the West Indies. (Zamora, 1989). It is reported to grow up to elevations of about 1600 feet (500 m) in the tropical dry areas of Mexico with average annual precipitation of about 40 inches (1000 mm

Dubie Baxter