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Old 01-14-2015, 07:40 AM
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anvilring anvilring is offline
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Help dating a mod. 12 "Thorpe" bowie

So I've come across this which I've posted on BladeForums.com as well:














Slide show:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1...41987177850636

My questions are: when, approximately, was it made?
Is this a Johnson "rough back" sheath? (what's with the lack of a stone pouch?, ordered that way?)
How much premium is in this magnificent piece of stag?
And how big a deal is it that it's personalized?

Oh, and lastly so's not to get into trouble, what is this site's policy on asking about value? I've looked in the FAQ and don't find much; anyone with an answer/link to the rules would be appreciated.

regards, m


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Last edited by anvilring; 01-14-2015 at 10:36 AM.
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Old 01-14-2015, 11:21 AM
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Moosehead Moosehead is offline
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Hi anvilring (Mitch)!

Thanks for posting this cool "Thorpe" Bowie and your questions.

Based on the photos posted here and in your Google slide show, I'll try to answer them to the best of my knowledge.

While trying to date a Randall can often be problematic, I'll take a stab based on the sheath, Randall stamping and the sheath and say it was most likely crafted between 1963 and perhaps as late as 1975.

You are correct that the sheath is indeed a "Johnson rough-back" crafted by the late Maurice Johnson and likely ordered without the stone pouch.

The stag handle is gorgeous and certainly makes the knife more appealing to me. Howvwer it's difficult to know how much value it adds.

Having the original owner's name etched on the blade may not be important to some collectors, in fact they may like the fact that the name may be tracked down to add provenance and history to the blade. Others might feel it detracts. In the case of this Bowie I don't think it's all that important.

As far as I know giving a value to a knife is not out of bounds here on the Knife Network, but in the case of this knife I would be hard pressed to hazard a guess (but I will). There are just too many variables at play, such as the depressed market for vintage Randalls and knives in general, the limited appeal of big Bowies, the appeal of spectacular stag, plus the overall condition of the knife, and particularly the carbon blade. If I have to, I would give it a value of $800 to $1,200. (I could be way off here...)

You may want to check out eBay completed listings to give you a a better idea.

Hopefully more folks will offer their opinions and advice.

Cheers!

David


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Last edited by Moosehead; 01-14-2015 at 11:23 AM.
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Old 01-14-2015, 12:20 PM
uni11 uni11 is offline
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Thorpe" Bowie

Sorry I have no answers for you, but what a magnificent looking specimen. cool
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Old 01-14-2015, 01:07 PM
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anvilring anvilring is offline
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David thanks so much for your comments! It is a nice knife... I'm in it at about $800 so I'm ok. Of course I never want to sell ANYTHING!!


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Old 01-14-2015, 02:10 PM
BoBlade BoBlade is offline
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Dam, Moosie! I might as well retire Very nice assessment and write up!
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Old 01-16-2015, 08:11 PM
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Jacknola Jacknola is offline
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to narrow the dates down just a bit, the blade stamp is post-1966 ... which would be when the blade was forged. Thorps and toothpicks are probably the least popular Randall knives, but are impressive.
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advice, arrow, back, blade, bowie, carbon, forged, handle, knife, knives, made, post, randall, sell, sheath, show, stag, stag handle, stone, vintage


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