I have been asked to further explain my reasoning for the 1962 date.

Johnson was making some sheaths for RMK by mid 1962 and was up to full production in short order, 6 months or so. Initially he was using brown buttons. By late 1962 to early 1963 (Gaddis) the switch was made to baby dot snaps and he was up to full production by this time.

The last shipment of HKL sheaths arrived at the shop in 1962. This knife probably could have been delivered in one of those if any were in stock.

Now there was not a huge demand that early for the model 14 as Viet Nam was yet to really crank up. So it is likely imo, that the knife was probably delivered in 1962. Could it have slipped into 1963, sure. But there is not an abundance of double brown button sheathed knives (14, 15, 18) out there, far less than canteen snap sheaths.

As I sit here I don't know if I recall seeing any of the 50's era Solingen blades such as the one under discussion in a baby dot split back. Maybe I have, it just doesn't strike me right now. If that is the case, then it further supports it being 1962 to early 1963.

As for the stamp on the back, Johnson was copying his examples which were HKL sheaths that were stamped in that location. He soon began stamping them on the front.