A tale of a knife and a gun...

[PALADIN85020]

As some of you know, I have an extensive U.S. military edged weapon collection; when I used to display at gun shows many years ago, it was an award winner. One of the prizes in that collection was a Special Forces Bowie, which was issued to the Green Berets in Vietnam. I purchased it at a gun show in El Paso, Texas way back when, because I only paid $100 for it, as I recall. Today these blades, when found in exceptional condition, as mine was, are easily worth over $1000.00.

When I used to live in El Paso, I showed it to a good friend and fellow collector, and his jaw dropped. "John," he said, "that is the exact knife I brought back from 'Nam. I braided the lanyard in a certain way, and I even remember the serial number on it. A Special Forces captain was handing them out to anybody and everybody when they got a shipment of them. I was an artillery officer supporting the SF people then. I traded it off stupidly on some other thing I wanted, and I haven't seen it since."

He was good enough to pen a brief authentication of the knife, and I promised him that he would have right of first refusal should I ever choose to sell it. Here's a pic of the knife and his note:



Well, as I mentioned, the value of that knife has grown quite a bit over the years. Eventually, I wanted to return it to my friend, but I sure as hell didn't want to gouge him for the full retail price - it was worth it, but it seemed unfair, somehow. I knew he would really like to have it.

At any rate, the years went by. We've been great friends, but separated by miles. We moved to Phoenix, and he and his wife remained in the El Paso area.

This last weekend, we drove to El Paso to visit family, and we dropped in to spend some time with our friends. He was kind enough to show me his vaulted collection, which is world-class, and he showed me a little S&W Model 1, second issue which he had picked up; a duplicate of one that used to belong to an uncle of his. He said he only had around $145 in it. I really liked the little gun. By the serial number, it was shipped in August, 1866. Here's a few pics of it:







A bell rang in my head, and suddenly I had a way to get the knife back to my friend, and a way to enhance my Smith collection at the same time.

I told him that I was gonna make him an offer he couldn't refuse - how about we trade? My knife for his little Smith straight across. I wasn't sure of the value of the Smith, but I estimated it would be in the same ball park as the knife.

Well, he wrestled with that deal; he said he'd almost pay the going price for the knife to keep the Smith. I told him he was certainly free to accept or reject the offer, no big deal to me either way.

Well, we finished talking, and as we were walking out of the vault, he reached over, took the little Smith, and put it in my hand. Deal.

When we returned to Arizona, I put the knife into express mail, insured for $1,000. He should have it Thursday. I'm happy to have found a way to get the knife back to him, since it had such sentimental value, and I'm also glad to have the Smith.

I think it was a win-win situation! I thought you'd be interested in hearing the story.

John

[bettis1]

John,

One of the best "feel good" stories I have heard in a long time. You did the right thing. Good on you!

Bob

[pinduck]

Great story John,you certainly have honored the term Friend.
Glen

[Maddog 521]

That is an incredible story. It is a "win--win" for all involved.

[Lenny_D]

Great story. What's the chances of showing a friend a knife and having it be his from long ago?! I guess it was meant to be.

[Texas Star]

Actually, I DID find a knife at a gun show that was made in a base shop while I was in the USAF. A friend ordered a kit that Randall then sold, to make a Model 1 from parts, the blade completed. He did a superb job of making that knife, with black Micarta handle and eight--inch blade. I recall that he wanted the long blade in case he had to stab a tiger or leopard in Thailand, where he was headed.

I saw him a few years later and mentioned the knife. Said he sold it after leaving the AF, for something smaller for sporting use. I didn't buy it, as I had a Model 1 and similar knives and was short of cash.

But I was surprised to see it. It had enough unique features to make it identifiable.

John, I enjoyed your story. Of course, the SOG company was founded to make copies of that knife. Originals are rare.

[JayCeeNC]

My roommate and I flew on the refugee flights in and out of Saigon in April, 1975.
He scarfed up a couple of fixed blade knives from the refugees and offered me my choice. I took a Randall Model 15 with the blade tip broken off. I sent it to Randall and they reground it. He kept an unmarked bowie style knife.
After he left the USAF he settled back home in southern California, and started making knives as a hobby. He worked in the shop of a nearby knifemaker, R.W. "Bob" Loveless.
I lost the Randall in a burglary in the 1980's. He lost the bowie when his first wife threw his clothes and stuff out on the lawn during their breakup.
He did some research; the bowie he lost was a Special Forces bowie, same as pictured in Paladin's post.

[Sayoc01]

I was on the phone talkint to a friend about that SOG Bowie.He was with 5TH SF,&SOG PHONIEX!Glad the knife got back to your friend!Ya done good!
Jim

[mc5aw]

Great stories from great people on a great forum. That's why I love this place.

[30-30remchester]

PALADIN, I didnt know you were a military knife collector. I have collected them for a few decades now, but live in a small mountain town far from the cities. Seldom going to the cities leaves me few oppertunities to find such knives. I did stagger upon a few. The crown jewel in my collection is a Cole 9 knuckle dagger.

[TACC1]

John, great story, and well told, as always. Thank you.
TACC1

[Joe Kent]

You and your friend are truly "Class Acts". What a great way to help and appreciate each others friendship. All my best, Joe.

[Onomea]

Heartwarming! That's what it is. (Probably only makes sense to say that on a gun forum...)

[tyusclan]

Excellent!