Here's a 7-5 that was just listed on eBay. Look at the difference in the spacing of the hone pockets. There's more space above the hone pocket on the Jim's sheath which makes it look like a sheath for a 6 inch blade. Why is that? Also, the hone pocket on Jim's sheath is sewn on three sides. The eBay sheath is sewn with the sheath edge.
Good eye, Tom! There's something else: A Model 7 should have a small stamp (The newly listed e-bay 7-5 has this). It looks like Jim's stamp is the standard. Could be something to Ben's observation that the blade has been altered in some way after it left the shop. The other e-bay 3-6 you posted a photo of is a 4-6.
I'd still like to hear from Jim on the sheath numbers and the handle and blade length.
Best,
Ron
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Ron Mathews RKS No. 4223
Good eye on the stamp, Ron! I couldn't tell if the bottom knife had a slight hump or not (maybe I'm seeing things I want to see ), but the sheath is marked 3 6, which I believe was interchangeable with the Model 4 at the time.
We need Jim to chime in one more time and solve the mystery.
Registered: 09/14/05
Posts: 12871
Loc: Central Florida
Ron, I absolutely "wasn't sure" and that's why I mentioned that no one had "asked the question". If you think about it, that's just one more cool thing about the "oldies". You can't "cookie cutter" one model. Thanks to all who posted and commented on this interesting piece. It's part of what gives this forum "the glue". Capt. Chris