Here is just one at the museum.....

So, here is a weird one. It is a 1943 knife as far as I can tell. It came in the big collection I bought last year and was one of only two I kept.

It is a screw on butt cap, no nut!

While the idea eliminated the nut and washer, it probably did not work well since any tightening of the butt cap would have would have left the butt cap out of alignment with the washers.

There are two known examples of this style butt cap. Mine and the pictures of the other knife that had the but unscrewed and pictures taken. Mine has not been disassembled.

First, my knife, you can see in this picture there is no nut on the butt cap.



These next few are from a different knife that was disassembled:

Tune, Sweet knife. Question, you state it as a 1943 example, but I thought it has a Bill Platt type thong hole. I thought Bill didn't start until Jan. 1944?

I read a few threads that gave the 1/44 date. I also saw a VL&A Model 1 fighter that had the same WT and a Randall stamp some 3 inches from the hilt. It was described to me as a 1943 because of the placement of the Randall stamp. I personally have no clue, just trying to figure out the upper pommel drill hole (WT) and how it dates a knife.

I can't argue with that Eric. Probably a 44 knife.

I was always under the assumption that Bill Platts started in 1943, as best as my old memory can tell. Re-reading Gaddis states early (Jan.) 1944. We all know that Bill was mostly responsible for the switch from the furnace link type of wrist thong to the much more efficient drilled tong hole. Of course, who knows of Bo had offered (or tried) it earlier?? Nice knife Mitchell.
Best, Capt. Chris

Not sure what I was thinking. Not much it seems. Bo was drilling thing holes prewar. Maybe it was drilling the aluminum that proved difficult? The Zach was drilled in late 1942.

Thanks guys. I am always learning on this forum. All the best!

I don't think the change took place as soon as Platts arrived. I think some of the things like the more consistent standardization of blade length, blade grind, handle shape, and of course the drilled thong hole took place over a period of time. Not long in my opinion, but not overnight.

Today I looked at the site, looked at the old knives of Jack Levin and discovered a rather unusual Randall for for pruning branches and knots.

full size here
http://www.knifegallery.com/2012%20Shows/NYCKS/slides/Randall_121118A.jpg
http://www.knifegallery.com/2012%20Shows/NYCKS/slides/Randall_121118B.jpg

Also, I see one of the first, is it not the one that is the first, from the museum?
http://www.knifegallery.com/2017%20Shows/NYCKS/slides/Randall_171111.jpg

Crider Special?