This one caught my eye on e-bay not too long ago because I had never seen a 12-8 in a brown button sheath. A quick check of my Bible (Gaddis) revealed that "the first order for this model was recorded in the journal on 6 Feburary 1964" (Page 212). Further on in the section one reads that Bo made the 1st one for the museum in November of 1960 and another entry was found in the journal 16 February 1961 that just read "12-8 paid at shop". There have been differing opinions on Johnson's 1st involvement with the shop, but it has been generally accepted that this was in 1962 (Gaddis pg 224). Similarily there are differing opinions on when "baby dot" snaps were introduced. Gaddis states "late '62 or early '63" (Pg 225). This begs the question "How does this (Obvious by the construction) Johnson 12-8 brown button sheath exist"? We'll never know and it's just one more "Randall enigma"




Best,