Willy's Manchu Etch

[Hukk]

Here is an auction that was actually a factory screw up, not the late Jim Parker's personal knife as advertised according to Willy, who had these made in a SFO. 25 were made and returned to Jim Parker, apparently they have been found and are being sold as Jim Parker's personal knives, not defects that Willy saw them to be. Apparently the seller does not know the whole story that was relayed to me, now to you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bulldog-Brand-Stag- ... 0092061875

I bought one that had Jim Parker's initials on it with a COA stating it was his personal knife. Not true I was told by Willy, he asked me to buy it, was rather incensed about it. These knives were to go to members of his unit that he served with in Vietnam, the Manchu's. The first picture shows what the etch was supposed to look like.

Here is an email I got from Willy.
This is a Bulldog 4 1/8 Thor model that was supposed to get a special reverse frosted etch, the Manchu etch. The factory screwed up the order and etched the backs as shown. These 25 knives were returned to Jim Parker and the reverse etch knives were made. Apparently Mr. Parker kept the incorrect knives as his own and this one has his initials on it. Once the knives were returned Mr. Parker was free to do with the rejects as he wished. The man who ordered these knives served in the 9th Infantry Regiment in Vietnam, Mr. Parker did not. The 9th Infantry Regiment (Manchu’s) is a highly decorated and proud Regiment that served the United States since 1855.

The knives now come from Frost, they are Steel Warriors with the Manchu etch. Fitting I guess, Manchu is a Chinese name and now the knives are Chinese made. He could no longer get the knives made by Bulldog in small quantities even though the template for the etch was in existence at that time.

Here is a website that has the new saddlehorn Manchu knives.
http://www.manchu.org/parphenalia

Anyway, this is what I've been told, Willy should know, he had them made through Jim Parker.

EDIT: For an interesting read that gives accounts on both the American and North Vietnamese viewpoints go to this website and order a book. I read the book and recommend it.
http://www.unfortunate-sons.com