Picked this up a couple of weeks ago. #4 41/2" Stainless W/NASA logo NS hilt, Alum/Black spacers, Thumb notches NASA G3 Brown/Honey BP Handle Brown type B sheath w/NASA logo Thanks Capt.
Here is a model 4-7 that I am told is from 1945. And probably just like you, I noticed the strange keeper strap on the sheath. I have also been told that the strap was made for a very short period of time by the Edward Bohlin Company, who made very fancy saddles and western gear at that time. I have seen one other strap/sheath like this on e-Bay. Has anyone here ever seen a strap like this? Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.
Registered: 08/06/20
Posts: 38
Loc: Long Island, NY
Originally Posted By: willhunt
Here is a model 4-7 that I am told is from 1945. And probably just like you, I noticed the strange keeper strap on the sheath. I have also been told that the strap was made for a very short period of time by the Edward Bohlin Company, who made very fancy saddles and western gear at that time. I have seen one other strap/sheath like this on e-Bay. Has anyone here ever seen a strap like this? Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.]
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Very nice looking knife there and for its age it’s fantastic. Just curious I see what seems to a brass pin going through the handle from one side to another. One of my USGI M1 carbines has a brass pin similar as do many of the WWII weapons to halt small cracks from growing in their wood stocks. Is that the purpose the one in your handle or is it serving or another purpose? Thanks
That's not a repair pin like you see in older USGI (wood) stocks.
In hidden-tang knives, the easiest way to break the (epoxy) bond between the handle material and the tang would be to twist it. To keep that from happening, the tang is drilled and a pin inserted as seen here.
A lot of knifemakers still do this practice today.
Others (including RMK) have worked their handle attachment processes to avoid the need for the pin.
Great looking knife and sheath, Will. Not sure if the keeper strap was made by Bohlin, but it is a common "fold-over" design that is often seen in vintage gun belts. Heiser made that style of belt as well. It would make sense that a holster shop might have made it and just copied the basic design of a gun belt. Regardless, I think the keeper strap is pretty cool.
Here are a couple of photos I took from the book, "Packing Iron" of a vintage Heiser rig.
That's not a repair pin like you see in older USGI (wood) stocks.
In hidden-tang knives, the easiest way to break the (epoxy) bond between the handle material and the tang would be to twist it. To keep that from happening, the tang is drilled and a pin inserted as seen here.
A lot of knifemakers still do this practice today.
Others (including RMK) have worked their handle attachment processes to avoid the need for the pin.
Rob -
RMK used pitch for handles on the tang/handle bond up until probably the late 50's, and was replaced by superior epoxy type adhesives, coinciding with the disappearance or need for a pin.