Another AMG or Old Yeller question ?

I took this in trade at gunshow. Showed it to a couple Randall "experts" that are regular at the gunshow. Got a lot of discussion of what it could be, but no one really knew if it was or was not Old Yeller. I have looked at 10,000 pics here and I really don't know either. I got the feeling that the AGM was preferable to the Old Yeller material? Also, what's up with the black spacers?
(the second pic was taken thru a jewelers loupe)

thanks
Charlie

What di you mean.... What's up with the black spacers....

That's most likely yeller that was stored in the same position long enough that light baked one side and not the other.

Never seen a Randall with all black spacers. Special order, or what???

Actually, it is two pics of the same side.


Charlie

All black spacers and all red spacers are "free on board" on most any similar cut-down tang model. Aluminum spacers either with red or black spacers in combo, & brass spacers with red or black spacers in combo, on the other hand, are chargeable options.

Thanks. Which is the most desirable the old yeller or the Antique Gold Micarta ? And what time frame was this one made?

Charlie

Let's see the sheath. I say AGM, depending on what is revealed by the sheath for the knife.
Best, Capt. Chris

Agree with Cap, AGM.
Old Yeller seems to be the preferred presently, although my thoughts are AGM will be right there with it soon enough.

thanks
Charlie

There is a color difference between AGM and Old Yeller. The Old Yeller seems to be somewhat paler than the richer AGM color. Here are three of mine:

Beat me to it Steve but thanks for posting. I'll just add my AGM input, seeing as how that's all I have completed thus far!
...Below: As close to matching as a custom pair of RMKs can get, my #4-4 1/2" and my #7-4 1/2" in AGM, just dusted off outta' my STASH! Yeah: The blade stamp is deeper on one than the other and one more (very) minor difference but...here they are anyway! Hope ya'll like 'em!
Best, Capt. Chris
Guess the option count...CCS

My rule of thumb is Old Yellow is in a Johnson sheath. Pre 1990-ish.

...& I've never seen one with "all black" spacers either...Best, Capt. Chris
PS: That's why I asked to see the sheath...

Westinghouse Ivorite hands down. Not even close.

I like AGM because it is pleasing to my eye. I got into the hobby too late to have any yeller except one. It went to Europe last year thanks to a friend's help.

I've had fun at the gunshows listening to the Randall guys trying to convince themselves just what it is. Old yeller, fake old yeller, older knife from the 80's but the sheath is post 1995, questioning the all back spacers. Good to get some clarification.

Thanks guys

Charlie

here is a model 11 with AGM and all black spacers
I also have a model 2 with AGM and all black spacers but can't find a photo

Peter

True, of course, but ..... AGM is popular and collectible. It was only offered by the shop for a few years, 2004 - 2008, give or take, I think.

Jim,
It also sells, in most cases, for more money...at least when I have had one for sale. I know where Joe is coming from...but more valuable? I suppose it would depend upon the knife...and, of course, vintage of that knife.
Best, Capt. Chris

Westinghouse micarta first showed up on a trial basis it seems in the early 70's wit few 7 spacer examples floating around. The hey day was probably the think center spacer era from around 76 the 84, with the material used and Tune said into maybe the late 80's, and does come with the bonus of a Johnson sheath. Kinda the last of an era.

If you had two knives of the same model and options in both materials, I would say the Westinghouse knife would bring more easily, particularly to somewhat knowledgeable collectors.

AGM was tantamount to a "pre-aged" replacement for the Westinghouse material, in that it had a more orange color as the old Westinghouse material would sometimes get with age and/or exposure.

Note also, that the Westinghouse micarta was able to be scrimshawed, I don't know if AGM was ever scrimmed by Rick. Cap or someone might know the answer to that.

Here is a photo of an extremely rare model 14 with Westinghouse micarta that is relatively "fresh".

That looks like a Model #5 Joe. Nice knife. I have a 7 spacers Old Yeller I'll dig up and shoot for the purpose of showing people one from that era.
Best, Capt. Chris

That's what makes it so rare -- it's a model 14 that looks like a model 5. You don't see those everyday.

14 Chris

Just now had time to shoot these so, nightime considered, you can still see a rare Alaskan.
Stay sharp, Capt. Chris
* .202" blade thickness
* Brass single hilt (squared: Order of the day)
* 7 spacers (Early Westinghouse)
* White stone
* Tight-stitched JRB sheath
* Old Yeller handle
* Brass butt cap
* Brass nut (common for it's day)

I'll throw this one out there.
RMK #26-4" Stainless
Black and Brass spacers
Ivorite (old yeller) handle
Brass butt cap
Baby dot tan pouch sheath

Dennis

Dennis,
Looks like white lineal micarta to me. White lineal micarta was used by the shop for a very short period of time. It fell between the disastrous "white crap" that the shop tried as a replacement for Old Yeller. That stuff checked up and there are more than a few knives out there that show these faults. I recently re-handled a Bear Bowie-#12-8" because of it and that has already been shown on this forum (BMK did the handle/ Amy the sheath).
Lineal micarta was replaced by AGM and the Model #10-3", shown below, is the only example I have of it in my STASH. Rare? Probably. Scarce? For sure! Hope this helps, Capt. Chris
PS: It isn't as yellow, in real life, as it looks but it has yellowed over time...CCS
Best, Capt. Chris

Thanks Capt. Any info is appreciated.

Dennis

Here's the only yellow handled Randall I own.

Pap

Interesting. The description for this material shows a darker color than either my handle (middle) or the Captain's handle (bottom). I suppose there are many possible variations due to age, light exposure, etc.