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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 22, 2015 at 20:30

Got me Jack but I did ask a couple folks that would know to take a look for you

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on April 22, 2015 at 20:32

Just a quick question Jack, what is the handle material? And can you copy the picture by chance so we have some idea on condition?

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Permalink Reply by Jack on April 22, 2015 at 21:03

Sorry guys, I don't have a pic. But it is a stacked leather handle (looks just like a Kabar, et al), & has at least one red spacer behind the guard. I don't remember on the rear one, as the handle is a bit dirty. And, thanks John for moving this to where it would be best placed (newbie me).
Steve, I would rate the condition as good-vg: some marks on blade, no nicks or rust, handle is tight.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Zalesky on April 23, 2015 at 7:42

Really need a photo for this -- actually two decent shots, front and back. The 1219c2s are quite rare, if in fact that's what you have it's a good piece.

Mark Z

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on April 23, 2015 at 12:13

Jack--I'm sorry, but I, like Mark would hesitate to give you a price on this without pictures-- Yes, the Robeson Shuredge is the rarest of the 1219c2 knives. There were only 10,000 produced. Take into account the amount lost or damaged in combat, and they are the "Holy Grail" for.USA.. WWII military knife collectors. There in lies the problem as they are very finicky about the nuances of their collectible knives, especially on pricey ones. For example-- Does it have a sheath & is it the sheath original to the knife?? Even this can spark a debate and affect price-- The original sheath was leather, with 9 rivets, and black stitiching.- I have seen examples with white stitching that the owner through provenance, swears is original-- That alone can seriously affect the price & spark a debate.. Other examples-- Correct markings, amount of the original bluing on the blade, condition of the spacers, etc. Was the knife altered in any way??  Rehandled,reground,etc.-Finally, what is the provenance on the knife?? Is it a knife that the seller has the history of or one that he purchased somewhere??-Knowing the military service of the knife can radically affect the price-- These are examples of why you see such a wide swing in prices.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on April 23, 2015 at 13:07

Some excellent points there John. So much to consider. I saw several on a general eBay search and quality, finish, sheaths were kind of all over the map. What might be considered better ones or cleaner or whatever ( not verifying accuracy or anything) were asking more, those more beat up considerably less.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 23, 2015 at 13:27

John,

All excellent points to consider and Thank you for being able to share with us what would be the difficulties of trying to value without "eyes"

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on April 23, 2015 at 14:28

Jack- A couple of other points I'll add-- If you can, by chance, get pics of the knife taken, take pictures of the pommel- It can indicate if the knife was rehandled, etc. Some of the highest priced Robeson Shuredge 1219c2's on Ebay are from a seller who likes to refurbish and reblue, etc. the knives he sells-- He asks well over $1000 for them, but most serious collectors would say he ruined their value in the process, although I'm sure he sells them or he would not keep doing it. Lastly, on the provenance issue-- A Militaria collector would rather have one carried in combat on Iwo Jima, for example, than one carried by a rear area supply clerk.  Even knowing the battallion or unit, and especially the name,can drastically affect the price. A collector would pay more for a knife that saw service in the same unit, etc. as that of a beloved ancestor.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on April 23, 2015 at 15:30

Military Collector is a unique buyer for sure. They probably do want that knife loaded with history. The story just might sell the knife for a higher price than a refurbished one.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Martin on April 23, 2015 at 19:22

lots of good info!

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Permalink Reply by Jack on April 23, 2015 at 20:35

Thanks for all the input, gentlemen. I'm fairly sure the sheath is not correct, but the knife itself looks honestly used, but not 'bubba' sharpened. I'll make an offer to the seller & see how it goes. This is not to buy for resale, it's just one I'd like to have (I'm sure you ALL know what I mean)! I too have seen the guy on eBay selling the reconditioned ones for $1k+, & I've seen some pretty ratty specimens selling for over $500. So, I'll take a run at it & see how valuable the piece is to the seller.
Thanks again!

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Permalink Reply by Jack on April 26, 2015 at 17:02

An update:
Well, that didn't work out so well. As I dithered, it seems the owner thought the best course of action was to consign the blade to a local gun auction yesterday. I thought that a good sign, as I usually attend that very same auction. I've picked up some nice cutlery from there for short money (a pristine VN era Ek was one), as there are few knife guys in attendance. This time there was ONE other blade man; the bidding started at $40- I stopped my bidding at $430, & it went to the other guy for $440. I just wasn't sure, & that's a fist full of dollars!
'Sides, it would have been tough explaining to the Mrs. that I bought a knife for $500 (or more?) that, to her eye, looks just like the other six I have in the pattern.
Eh, life goes on...

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