Doug,
These knives were handled in Rosewood. Tom was well-known or "pinning" his handles and/or butt caps. He felt it left a neater engraving job on the butt cap ends. I have not closely inspected this set in a long time. They were pulled from the Randall museum some 12-15 years ago (?). Tom & I traveled together to a good many shows. I had the pleasure of watching him work a #12-11-"C"...BRASSBACK...giving it the same treatment as this series. Upon returning from the engravers show in Las Vegas (around 1985-86) he was heart-broken to open his bag and see the Indian rosewood handle, cracked in two!
As some of you know, I bought Tom & Mary's house in Orlando. When he returned to Florida (from Fairbanks) the year was 1982-83 (I think). His work looked exactly he same...Perfect!
Best, Capt. Chris