VINTAGE RANDALL MADE BOWIE KNIFE / IVORY / CUSTOM GRIND

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Special Order Randall Bowie Knife Custom Made - Model #12 Grind 8" Tool Steel Blade Forward Curving Double Brass Guard Scalloped Brass Collar Beautifully Aged Ivory Handle - Commando Escutcheon Plate w/Original Owner's Name Scalloped Brass Butt Cap w/Very Rare Recessed Tang Fitting Rare Jim Stockman Sheath w/ Brown Buttons Two Tone Combination Crystolon Sharpening Stone(Made in U.S. of A. w/Blue Print) Never Used / Original Edge / Never Carried Randall Made Knives Carry Case Letter From Original Owner Excellent Original / Unused Condition My summary: a vintage 1961 special order Randall Bowie with ivory commando handle and brown button Jim Stockman sheath for consideration. This knife comes with a letter of provenance from the original owner detailing approximate date of order and delivery. The owner requested a scaled down (presumably model 12) blade of 8" and the Randall shop obliged. (they still allowed custom orders back in the early 60's) The handle was taken from specs in the catalog -- the Jim Stockman sheath then made for the knife. The letter from the original owner as follows: "Concerning Randal Knife that I sold in April, 2007. I special order this item from Randal Knives in Orlando, Florida, around April or May of 1961. I was stationed at Marine Barracks, Jacksonville Naval Station. The handle was taken from Randal's catalog and I scaled the blade & mailed order to Orlando. Uppon receipt I mailed the knife home. I was discharged Sept, 1961, so received before that date. The knife, sheath and stone are exactly as I received them from Randal. The ivory handle cracked many yrs. later. The above description and time frame is as accurate as I can recall. Sincerely,H.D. Tindall" Mr. Tindall's letter, return envelope and business card are all included in this auction. Summary: the blade on this knife is in beautiful shape and exhibits no use or sharpening since leaving the shop 45+ years ago. A s stated above, this knife has an 8" tool steel blade with the small Randall Knives Orlando, FLA stamp. The knife has NOT been shop cleaned -- you'll find a few light spots and very light wipe down marks from care over the years. The brass hilt is forward curving -- t's a scalloped brass collar between it and the commando handle. Very nice patina on the forward curving hilt, scalloped collar and butt cap -- all original. The handle is ivory and has aged quite nicely. As with most ivory handles this age, you'll find a crack that runs the length of the handle and a few light checks elsew that don't seem to be going anyw The handle is fitted with a silver escutcheon plate -- the original owner's initials and last name (H.D. TINDALL) shop engraved on the plate in block letters. The brass butt cap is scalloped and over an inch long. Most notable is the recessed tang fitting -- this is the first Randall knife of any kind that I've seen finished in such a manner. The rare, custom brown button sheath was made by Jim Stockman. General observations regarding sheath condition: unused and in original condition. All stitching is solid -- both snaps function perfectly. The knife was stored in the sheath -- t are marks at the throat and on the belt loop from the hilt and butt cap resting against the leather. T are few light spots on the back of the belt loop as well. The back / roughback portion of the sheath looks brand new. T is a two tone gray "Combination Crystolon Made in U.S. of A" sharpening stone (blue print) in the pouch. The Randall Made Knives carry case is included. I think that it would be near impossible to find a nicer early 60's ivory bowie in similar original condition. At 45+ years old... it's simply gorgeous. The special order grind, custom options, recessed tang fitting, Jim Stockman sheath and letter from Mr. Tindall add an entirely new dimension to the overall value and collectibility of this very special offering. Suffice to say, this ... read more

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