Included below is an image of a Northampton cutlery finished Springfield Fighter in its original condition. Note the symmetry as well as the close attention to detail of blade, handle, guard, and butt cap. This is nice work and theoretically represents an accurate copy of the Randall prototype. In fact I would suggest that some might select this design even when offered side-by-side with an Orlando crafted Randall back during 1943, the finished product being that compelling. Macro images are included further on in order to represent the various features of this finished knife.
The contention can be made that at some point subsequent to the halted production of this venture, these 500 completed and recorded knives provided by Northampton Cutlery, were marketed by Larsen. As previously stated, many of these 500 knives have survived, enough for us to make comparisons about the variations between examples. If the project ended here then there would simply be no need to continue. The blade length on these well-crafted knives do not vary 1/32nd of an inch. The grinds are exactly the same, stamp locations are consistent, the bronze guards are identically shaped, handle shapes and lengths are uniform. Even the fiber spacers are the same size, and vary only in color, with green substituted for red (or vice versa) in some of these examples. The latter most likely a question of available material.
Handle-end of
a finely crafted Springfield Fighter - Type 1
It's not surprising that these results would be expected from a well-established, reputable firm: Now for the rest of the story. At the outset of this venture and without a venue for his knife production, Larsen was forced to make-do with manufacturing techniques on his own. There exists no exact record citing the methods used to further the project, but it was continued. It has been suggested that assembly of partly finished knives took place in the cellar of his home. We can say with some certainty that at this point the variations that we can identify with begin to appear in abundance.
An example is photographed in RMM, which underscores the dimensional differences between the blades crafted in Northampton, Type 1, and the remainder, Type 2 (author's term).
I have recently read in a major knife publication, that the blade on a Springfield was 7½ inches in length, but could vary as much as a quarter of an inch. This simply isn't the case. I know of no unaltered Type 1 that falls into this category. They measure almost exactly 7 7/8 in length, knife after knife. Actually, Type 2 fabricated Fighters usually approach this length as well. It goes without saying that there was no attempt to explain or support this contention or to identify with predictable variations in manufacture. This is a disservice to the reader who seeks to gain accurate information from experts in the field.
Northampton Cutlery type - blade measuring 7 7/8 inches
We now look a bit more closely at those predictable variations and put them in perspective with production in an uncontrolled environment. Reporting accurate numbers of completed knives between Larsen and RMK has been cited as inexact at best. Therefore it will be impossible to identify the precise number of completed Fighters that were put into circulation. We can however fall back on the number of 500 as being reliable for the Northampton finished blades, Type 1. Research by Robert Gaddis and some subsequent references regarding completed knives indicate that the total number for the entire project did not exceed 1500. When we do the math we come up with approximately 1000 Type 2, or degraded knives (author's term). These reflect some or many of the "variations" in the "finished" product and differ from the prototypical Randall furnished, Northampton copied, original model supplied for this project, which I hasten to add must have closely resembled the Orlando product sent as a model.
If we list the variations and come back to the "benchmark" Type 1, a knife up to Randall design standards, then the remainder is easy to classify. This is why it is necessary to separate the knife-type sourced out to local fabricators from those finished by Northampton Cutlery. In the case of those completed by the former, handles are shorter, spacers differ, blades appear to be wider and grinds are not exact from knife to knife. These are not "one-of-a-kind" rarities, but the results of faulty and inconsistent manufacturing procedures. One extreme example is the appearance of "unmarked" blades, which in the past have been mistakenly viewed as significant discoveries. Here also are disclosed the fully assembled but unsoldered specimens, that never saw the completion of the process. In the final analysis, many of these knives have little eye appeal and suffer from very obvious flaws, but should not be considered just variations. In spite of the large number, all of these knives should be viewed for what they represent, a deviation from the (achieved) standard, established when Northampton Cutlery forged (if in fact forging was done) fitted and finished their first batch of Springfield Fighters.
Collectors do not follow a universal set of rules when it comes to acquiring knives; they buy what they like. They are influenced however by those around them and follow their lead. I for one have collected and currently enjoy the random fabricated Springfield as well as the more uniformly produced type. But I recognize the difference and that has a bearing on the relative value of these knives. All Springfield Fighters are not the same. This speaks volumes to the collector and should be understood when considering which knife to invest in. This is not to say that the Type 2 is not worth collecting. We must remember that this business arrangement served to alleviate the pressures on the Randall Shop in producing fighters for our troops by over 1000 knives within one year, many accompanying a serviceman to war. It was a success and remains an important part of the Randall-made history, notwithstanding deviations in workmanship reflected in a large number of these knives.
A word about sheaths: While this "business" was getting up to speed, Larsen searched out a sheath maker who has been identified by Robert Gaddis (while doing his research at Randall Made Knives) as Joseph Mosser from Pennsylvania. Information that a Heiser sheath was forwarded along with the prototype knife may not be accurate. All indications are that Mosser provided all of the sheaths for Springfield fighters and they are exact in manufacture with the only variation being the color of the leather in some examples. The fact that they strongly favor the type made by Southern Saddlery of Chattanooga, TN does not imply that they made them; rather they were most likely copied from an existing Southern Saddlery sheath rather than a HH Heiser. Comparisons reveal an almost identical style with the Mosser showing a somewhat wider stitch placement. Many of these sheaths have survived in unused condition due in part to Larsen's marketing strategy of selling to retail stores rather than direct sales to servicemen. We have included a comparative image of both the Mossier and The Southern Saddlery sheath.
Southern Saddlery on the bottom - Mosser Sheath on top
There are many questions about this wartime collaboration and subsequent business arrangement that have not been answered. One that comes to mind is the source of steel for the knife blades. Some say "old" Bayonets, which leads to other questions. Perhaps someday we will have the answers. In the meantime we require no further incentive to collect these interesting and historical knives other than accurate information, essential to making an informed decision regarding their design and manufacturing features.
