Couple of interesting aspects there. I wonder where the fella was that he had a 20 degree magnetic declination.
Most of it looks quite unused but that doesn't really mean. much. The knives, of course, are the value. The Randalls, '67-'72 Buck and '73 Camillus. Too bad not having the Buck pouch.

It'd be nice to know the watch maker and whether or not it runs. Benrus, Hamilton......

I deal with that outfit a good little bit and have always found them fine business folk.

 

Thank you I concur with your assessment on the Randall knife and sheath !

 

Your other link led me to finding that one also... and I too, said "1k each, is the rest work $1300?"... not really but, also not my forte in gear....

Having picked up a few things from an auction win at an estate sale this morning, seeing all of the deceased gents other items, his story if you will, makes you wish you knew more about their story. This compilation of items evokes the same feeling.....if those items could talk, it'd likely be an interesting story, now lost to time.

 

I think the watch is listed as a Hamilton in the ad.

Use? I have a buddy that spent some time in SF and eventually SOG while in VN. Almost everything they issued him he stashed away and didn't actually use. And all that eventually came home with him. I get the reasoning behind that Most of it and the box of "trophies" he brought back all sit in his den now. But no question that #1 above got some serious use!

The "sterile" Belguim HP and the SOG bowie shown here, got immediately replaced with a beater WWI 1911 with French markings and a Buck fixed blade. The blueing on the SOG bowie is just about as good as it is on the HP. Virtually still new. He still bitches about how impossible the Buck was to resharpen The Buck was a gift from his Father. He still has that as well.

 

Use? I have a buddy that spent some time in SF and eventually SOG while in VN. Almost everything they issued him he stashed away and didn't actually use.

I have two complete issues of gear from 5th Group that were separately written off as 'War Loss' which means when you go to clear Group.... they don't wanna see that stuff.

The first issue was well and truly used but not used up and when I left Group it became mine. When I got back from where I was, I got a whole new TA50 (+) issue but only used my earlier items. Put that down to; luck, karma, hoo-doo, what have you. Then, when I retired, my most recent gear draw was also deemed 'war loss' so now, one is battle-museum grade and the other is new-in-the-wrapper grade since they only issued brand new items after the whole 'war-loss' thing started. Funny thing was, on the second issue - at retirement - the ONLIEST thing I wanted was a snazzy, nylon M-5 Medic's bag - and that's the only thing they wanted back!😢

Still kinda funny to come across stuff in my containers that are so old and yet new.

 

I really like that 73 Camillus US utility knife! Now I need to find one.

 

You can find that camillus 73 they come up on eBay regularly keep a weather eye out and you will score !!

 

Thanks! I see several of them on there. Didn't know they have years on them from the early 60's into the 90's. Now waiting to find one with my birth year.

 

This compilation of items evokes the same feeling.....if those items could talk, it'd likely be an interesting story, now lost to time.

New knives showed up last week and I started looking at some of my o;d ones. The CDT #14 I have did a couple of tours in VN with a buddy that died 10 years ago now. Cancer from Agent Orage they suspected. If there are good ways to go that isn't one of them. Nasty stuff.

Regular Army. SF Captain in VN. Lead a MIKE Force there. Later was one of the officers involved when Delta was formed. Then eventually a world tour with the CIA. And at one point even taught College history. He Eventually retired as Lt Col.

We didn't spend enough time together. And I wish I had asked him all sorts of questions that I didn't . I was embarassed he gave me that 14. Much too precious of a gift. Then about the time he got really sick, I came up with stage 4 cancer. Rob died, before I started to get healthy again. I missed more than one phone call sick from chemo and rad after the surgery. Stories I'll forever regret not hearing.

And a knife that reminds me of him every time I see it, a picture of it, or pick it up.

The rule (and silence) of steel.

 

I have a very similar personal collection - I hung on to pretty much everything...

My own tomahawk was made by Pete LaGana and is shaped more 'dramatically' - still have the un-dyed scabbard and instructions.

They were popular until a UP reporter saw one on a 'trooper's TA-50 outside of Dak To and 'had' to mention it - after that, they disappeared into rucks.

Always a good idea to have two sets - 'theirs' and your own - and upgrade when needed.

 

This is a little later mfg than the one I carried there. Gave mine to an ARVN Lt. I knew, told him, “ here, you are going to need it”. Have thought 1000’s of times, should have sent it home.
I have a Large Vietnam collection, starting to “ move” lots of it.