September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/5/2023
The Randall Model 17 was initially designed as a survival knife for the 7 astronauts in the Mercury missions from 1958-1963 to put the first American astronauts into orbit and back down safely. For Randall Made Knives' 75th anniversary, they built 200 model 17s to commemorate the originals, 2 of which are in the Smithsonian Institution. The original final design was made by Mercury astronaut Gordon Cooper. 5 - 3/4" stainless steel blade with stabilized micarta American flag grips, fastened with stainless steel bolts. Inside of the tang has a small hole cut into it as well as the grips to accommodate fishing line, cord, matches, and other survival materials just like the originals. Accompanied by the original brown Model C riveted sheath complete with sharpening stone. Paperwork included is a printed copy of the original Randall Made Knives advertisement of the 75th-anniversary knife. CONDITION: Excellent+, with blade bright, no major signs of distress, and markings sharp. The grips are in matching condition. The sheath is excellent+ with pliable leather, tight stitching, and outside of a few minor handling marks is virtually as new.