There is evidence that Bo Randall “name-etched” some of his blades very early in his knife making career. We see “names” acid etched on various models in the early 1940s but after WWII had begun, production turned to knives for military personnel and that is the subject of this commentary.
There was little indication during WWII that today’s military knife enthusiast would seek documentation specific to the knives that he collected. Back then, it was probably the exception, rather than the rule to order an expensive “fighting knife’ and personalize it. This may have grown out of perceived necessity in an environment of government issued equipment and weapons where the prized personal possession of a serviceman would stand out among the ordinary.
One of the first things asked when an “old” fighter or stiletto is uncovered is “Do you know who carried the knife?” You might think that just the discovery of the knife with its original sheath might be enough, but in the eyes of many, it isn’t. If a collector is fortunate the documentation or “provenance” will connect the knife to an individual or events which place the knife and its owner in a wartime theater of operations.
When researching and sifting through documentation of the various knives featured in Randall Military Models in the Carried Knives section, I was able to closely examine several dozen documented carried knives, over 30 of which were finally photographed and then carefully scrutinized for relevance before being included in the publication. Many examples were owned by serious collectors who had taken care to connect the knife with supporting material. In spite of this (and not excluding my own knives) if the “evidence” was thin, then it didn’t make that section.
What proved to be the most convincing piece of “documentation” was the Randall shop-etched name that sometimes appeared on the reverse side of the blade of the knife, which in many cases during times of conflict also carried a serial number, or sometimes a reference to the branch of service, or if really fortunate, a specific reference to a special unit of that service. Without a doubt, in my opinion, this is the most irrefutable “proof” which serves to connect the knife with an owner and then to a period of time relevant to a war or conflict.
Many Randall military knife collectors like to show and display their knives. I, for one, will go to the limit to back up a knife with interesting visual “props”, as it catches the eye and provides the viewer with some creditable information about the display. Often times though, the “limit” is space and the footlocker full of personally-owned “gear” accompanying the knife stays under the table, unseen until delivered to the next owner. Not so with the knife that has blade etching.
Included below are a few examples which are of interest to me and which seem to best exemplify the custom of name etching on “military” Randall knives.
Initially I have chosen three examples from WWII, all of which were photographed for publication. The first interestingly enough offers the name only, but is most certainly of very early production, so we can deduce where the knife was destined for. Although not conclusive, should material present itself, then we know who the original owner was. (See Randall Fighting Knives, p. 13, obverse side)
The second instance is a name-etch to John S. Cook, but with an accompanying sheath “inscription” of name and serial number. As the knife and sheath compliment each other, it serves as a supporting document. ( See Randall Military Models, p.125)
The third example, featuring a mid-1940s 6" fighter, carries the name and serial number of Arthur J. Hadwin 0-421079. Documentation was available through the Freedom of Information act. This example gets us another step closer to “positive” identification.
The next knives referenced all represent the Vietnam era. The first, a “Diver” with brown micarta handle, includes a name, a serial number and RCAF, which serves to narrow the possibilities. (Randall Military Models, p. 161)
Following this and referenced in Randall Military Models, p. 157, is another brown miacrta-handled knife, a Model #14 “Attack” that includes name, serial number, and branch of service.
The next example takes us a step beyond, with a “special unit” designation etched after the branch of service. (Randall Military Models, p.163)
Many collectors specialize in a branch of the service and a unit designation of special significance will appeal to non-knife collectors as well. In this case, the last name and the “Sniper” etching hold special meaning to the owner who is also a collector of Marine Corps Insignia, weapons and equipment.
The final reference is to the introduction image which indicates that the owner was a member of U.S. Army Special Forces, a bench mark branch in the early days of the Vietnam struggle. The knife is stainless, shows sharpening, use and care and carries a handle wrap that was made with practical application in mind.
These knives are in the authors collection and were acquired not only because of the “distinguishing marks” that appear on the reverse side of the blade, although they enhance the “collectibility. Oddly enough when all is said and done, these etchings serve as the only provenance that accompanied the various examples at time of acquisition, further emphasizing their importance and resulting in the eventual discovery of supportive information connecting the knife and the owner to specific relevant events.
