Original Vietnam War 1967 Randall Model 18 Crutch Tip Survival Knife with Patches and Letter Provenance from Lieutenant Colonel Aulay Carlson
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Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a fantastic condition rare Model #18 Randall hollow-handled survival knife that was originally ordered in 1967 by Lieutenant Colonel Aulay Carlson.
This early Model 18 survival Knife features a 7.5 inch saw back blade, pinched tube, and crutch tip. Knife comes with the original rough back riveted sheath that is nicely marker marked RANDALL MADE KNIVES ORLANDO FLA. Sheath is excellent, with minor handling marks, working snaps, and has the original whetstone. Copper rivets show verdigris. Overall condition of the knife, sheath and stone are excellent.
An original signed letter of provenance from LTC Carlson accompanies the purchase of this knife. The letter reads:
January 11, 2001
Dear Charles:
I purchased the knife when I was a captain in the Air Force. I first found out about the Randall knife in 1967 at Shaw AFB SC when I was going through B-66C training prior to going to SEA. The survival knife the Air Force provided was a jackknife. Not a really good tool if you found yourself in a survival situation. I wrote the Randall Knife Company and told them where I was going and asked about getting a knife. As I recall they send me a bill, asked for my address in SEA and when I arrived at Takhli AB in Thailand the Randall crutch-tip survival knife was there. If you have ever seen the low jungle in SEA you would understand why a knife like this is essential.
I was an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) in the B-66C assigned to 41st TEWS. The C model had a crew of 6, one pilot, one navigator, and 4 EWOs in the bomb bay. I carried the knife on every one of the 140 missions I flew in SEA. One hundred and eleven of these missions were in North Vietnam. On all these missions we provided countermeasures support for the bombing missions, and second we collected electronic intelligence. After SEA I carried the knife when I flew in B-57s for System Command when I was stationed at the Rome Air Development Center, Rome NY. I later carried it again when I flew in B-57s for ADC. At that time the 4713 DSES was assigned to Westover AFB, MA. Later I flew in B-52s out of Tinker AFB, OK. There the B-52s were inspected, modified and then test flown before returning to SAC. The survival knife, for me, was and is a tool. I carried it when I flew and other than Boy Scout show and tell never carried it for any other reason.
About 10 years ago I sent the knife to Randall for cleaning and touchup. I don't have any of the letters or bills left. As I recall most of the business was conducted over the phone. The EB 66-C 100 missions, PACAF patches are the patches I wore on my flight suit while in SEA.
Lieutenant Colonel USAF Retired
Also included are two patches that were on then Capt. Carlson's flight suit as well as a printed list of medals awarded to Aulay Carlson during his military career. These include:
Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal (2 bronze, 2 silver stars)
Meritorious Service Medal
AF Commendation Medal with bronze star
AF Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 4 stars
AF Outstanding Unite Award with bronze star and 'V" device
Good conduct medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze stars
Republic of Vietnam Campaign medal
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship ribbon
This is an incredibly rare knife with iron clad provenance, you don't find them like this, ever.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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