Buck: Thanks for bringing the pictures up. Each knife has a marking below the logo. It can be seen on the closeup of the 12-9. They're both marked the same. The original owner, knifemaker Earl Witsaman, was good friends with Bo Randall and had these knives made on request. Randall marked the knives this way, but I don't know what it signifies. Both knives have the exposed flat brass nut. Thx again for the photo help.

I'm curious if anyone has seen another early 12-9 with stainless. Could this be the first one??? As far as the Bear bowie, I believe Griggs made the first stainless 12-8 in the late 1960's. Thx,

Pete