Speaking for myself, and I think Perry is ok with my assessment, I don't see any true contradictions in the known or accepted information. I believe there may be some additional information (if not lost to time) that might clarify a couple of things if someone were to take the time to look, but I think for the most part it is pretty cut and dried. I caution though, that wanting to find "new" information so badly can often lead to unrealistic and/or embellished ideas, perhaps ending in false claims. A classic example of this, is the "information" presented as fact in a certain publication about the level of Stockman's involvement with RMK. The inference that Stockman was the source for perhaps thousands of sheaths during the 3-4 year period of his association with RMK is patently false.

Not to say that his information is complete, but Gaddis devoted more concise print to the Astro than any other model, and that is the basis for the beginning of Astro research. Subsequent publications by Bob Hunt show great examples in photos of early Astro's with accompanying text. Also, over the years examining the early stuff gives you a pretty good handle on what is what. When studying RMK history, there is no substitute for hands on examination of various and numerous specimens of the subject model. Most often we reach conclusions by extrapolation of information from various sources to come to a reasonable end. That being said, there is always room for the addition of real information.

Tom, that was a deduction. The post should have read "RMKs presumably with sheaths..." (I just edited my post to reflect that). I'm usually more careful with language.

It is hard to imagine these guys in desert training for three days carrying their RMKs in their pocket or something. The logical deduction is that they had some type of sheath. This is why I wondered about the quote about supplying sheaths "on short notice..."

Thanks for the heads up on the language

Regards.

No problem, Jack. It would make sense that the knives were carried in sheaths, unless the astronauts used those survival packs for training and the packs had shoulder straps. Hard to say.

I would say that the Astro attached to the survival kit is in a sheath. The knife isn't just Willie Nillie stuck in the nylon pouch. There is most likely some type of insert or sheath that is covering the blade. However if there is a sheath inside the pocket on the survival kit it clearly is not a Standard Johnson or Stockman. It is simply covering the blade and that's it.

I say we contact Mr. Nillie and ask him.

Don't forget Willie....if Willie don't kno...Nillie fo sho kno....you kno?

I know no-one in N.O. (New Orleans) who knows no no-thang bout no sheath.

Reminds me of the old saw guarenteed to drive non-american speakers crazy: Using military time - John and Mary arrived at the train station at 1358 hrs, and left at 1402 hrs.

John was at the station from two to two to two two. Mary was at the station from two to two to two two too.

This has been an interesting thread. I learned several things about the early Astros.

The knife sold to night for $7600.

I wonder what the true market value of this knife is? On E-bay the winning bid amount is actually an incremental reflection of the 2nd highest bid, not what the winner was willing to pay.

It might be worthwhile to continue research related to this knife. There seems to me to be things that could use further inquiry, and definitely some additional or better documentation.

To believe that handling lots of RMK knives allows one to judge the history and dates of the early space program (and equipment), or on the odyssey and history of Lt. Col. Salvo, is to confuse cart and horse.

The real questions are about the Mercury and Apollo space programs. And uniquely, the knife itself is also an artifact that connects the space program to the military transition into the Viet War period. Thus there are questions that can be only be answered by reviewing the personal history of Lt. Col. Salvo.

This artifact's history may be able to be precisely traced. Research into those two areas will tell us the truth about the knife, not vise-versa.

Jack in this thread or maybe another one, Miles said he had an early 60's knife that had a Stockman sheath for sale on his web site. I wonder if you saw that? If you did....did you look it over well? If you didn't please go to Miles Welze web site and give it a look. If you did you should be able, IMO, to clearly distinguish between a Stockman and a JRB. There should be no question, with regards to which one is which.
Let me know what you think. Thanks.