Originally Posted By: tunefink
Was that on a Wednesday, Ron? crazy


Tune,

You were interested in other thoughts. That's what I gave you. So far as we know it's a "one off" (Although one or more may surface down the road). Therefore it was created under a very unique set of circumstances that occurred during a very short period of time. That's why we've only seen one of them. Unconventional things do happen. The history of what went on in the shop over the years has proven this time and time again.

Originally Posted By: crutchtip
Ron -

not so fast my friend.

Per Gaddis:

"It was Maurice Johnson who convinced Bo, Gary, And Bill to change from the type of snap used on the Heiser sheaths to a much stronger model.

Johnson suggested a snap of about the same overall size but with much greater holding power and of a construction that was less likely to be damaged. These are commonly referred to as "Baby Dot" fasteners.

After testing these snaps, the Randalls gave him the okay to switch form their brown button type, with logo, to the Baby Dot, which was plain nickel-plated brass. Since late 1962 or early 1963, all Johnson-made sheaths used the snaps, while the Heiser continued to use those with the brown button and logo. The snap installation machine at Heiser would not accept this stronger Baby Dot fastener...."

I do not recall ever seeing a "Heiser", transitional or otherwise, with a baby dot snap on the stone pouch. Those are done by the sheath maker. Only keepers were done at the shop.

It was not done by the remnants (covered in an article and here) of the Heiser company according to Gaddis' statements above. So, what is the true explanation here.


Joe,

Horizontally stamped Randall logo sheaths phased out well before the baby dot came into use! Also, take a close look at the size of the "baby dot" snaps on that 1-6 sheath. Without a doubt they are larger than the baby dot snaps that Johnson used. IMO this unique snap set up was either done by Heiser or the Shop when the supply of other snaps was exhausted. Bo wouldn't delay getting paid for a knife even a few days if he could also deliver a "functional" sheath.
_________________________
Ron Mathews
RKS No. 4223