A word or two posted, generated a heartfelt gesture, which in turn converted a fond memory into a treasure. I thought you might like to share in it.
In a couple of threads, one where I mentioned my friend Mike's favorite bowyer's scraper was a K-Bar, and another where someone put a nice K-Bar up for sale, I mentioned that I had given my old USMC sidekick to an old hunting friend, and now wished I'd hung on to it. Shortly after that I received a PM from "Ga.boy", Chuck Bunn. Without mentioning the posts, he started off by saying some very complimentary things about following my posts since becoming a member, and liking the things I said, etc. (It was said in a way that meant a great deal to me.) He also said he had an old item of memrobila, of his Father's, that he felt belonged with me and he would send it to me if I didn't object. Still without identifying the object, he ventured that he just felt I would appreciate it better than anyone else would. He signed the letter, "A proud Son of a Marine Father".
Well, most of you know me well enough to know I did two things: First I wiped my eyes, as best I could, and second I told Chuck I would be proud to be the "caretaker" of his Father's item.
Shortly I got another message saying he had mailed the item and I should have it by Sat. He also said it was old and in pretty rough shape but he would bet I would make it look better.
By then I was sure it was an old USMC souvenier of some sort. You can imagine my surprise when I opened the package (on Friday) and found the below. Chuck, I will do my best to make it look more as it deserves, Lord willing, and I will cherish it in any case. (Oh, I just put the USMC wood burning in the pic - it was given to me by a Marine Wife, when I wouldn't let her "give" me a larger one I was buying from her at the Flea Market.)
For those who are not familiar, The Marines came to call all of their belt, fighting, trench knives "K-Bar"s, as that was the company that eventually had the contract for making/providing them and it was engraved on the blades. However most Marines were aware that the original contract in WWI and again in WWII was held by Camillus (out of NY) and that those knives were, when available, generally considered the better knives, as they were easier to sharpen and held their edge better. All of the K-bars were veritable work horses and those marines who had and carried them (of any make) set great store in them for any and all uses imaginable. The one in the above picture that belonged to Chucks Father, and he has so generously tendered to my care, I believe to be an early Camillus (that much is on the guard), Model 5684L77 (7" Blade), and the blade is in beautiful shape and still darned sharp - trust me. Originally they all had stacked, leather washer handles, grooved for better grip. The earlier handles were oil impregnated to preserve them from fungus. However the oil raised sand with the leather when exposed to the weather, and made it deteriorate terribly. I haven't decided yet if I will contact Camillus (they still make them - minus the oil
) about refurbishing this venerable old warrior, or if I will dress it up in a nice "Dress Uniform" wood handle like Mike's (as seen in my recent thread about my first self-made laminated bow). I will show you all a picture, whichever. No matter - but my thanks go out to Ga.boy's Father, and his proud son. Thanks for looking.
(Note: My facts are mostly as best as I remember and bolstered by a very small amount of research this AM)
Topic: A Word, A Gesture, A Memory, A Treasure (Read 2265 times)
