Joe, I like the idea/theory that it was assembled "on the fly", imagine W.D. Randall opening the morning paper, learning the General was gonna be close by, heading out to the shop and pickin a fresh forged blade, so adding the hilt and handle might be all it took to finish. Since the General was in Vietnam from 64-68, the year 1963 makes sense for when he would have acquired it, as baby dot sheathes were "new" then. I'm not trying to promote the idea, not without evidence. I just think it's cool!