Tom -

1)Primarily for the horizontal stamp. It is generally accepted at this point I believe, that MJ was too late for that. While I think that is the case for the most part, it just shows that there are exceptions.

2) I am a bit confused by this question. You should be able to glean that from all the comparison photos and accompanying text. That is one of the purposes of this thread. But seeing they were made by the same company there is very little difference except there was a bit of decline in quality towards the end of their involvement with RMK.

3)Common? Probably not, but not unheard of.

4)Something cool done a long time ago along the lines of a sub-hilt installed in reverse at the butt.