Browning Factory Second USA B78 Bicentennial Knife sans Embellishments

[Gumshoe]

Last year (2024), I won an auction for a Browning USA Model 5518 B78 Bicentennial knife, of which only 1,000 were made and only sold with the B78 rifle (no sheath). These 1,000 knives were made in 1976 with brass engravings, a checkered rosewood handle and the rifle's serial number engraved on the butt of the knife. The engraving/etching on the blade is signed "J. Thompson." See photos below.

This year (2025), I won another auction for what I believe is a factory second Browning USA Model 5518 knife with the B78 Bicentennial blade WITHOUT the brass engravings, handle checkering or the serial number. The engraving/etching is also signed "J. Thompson." I believe this new knife is a factory second because of the flaw on the mark side of the blade and the fact that it is without the B78 embellishments.

What is your opinion?

[btrwtr]

Nice looking Brownings. I wouldn't necessarily call the knife a second if the stamp isn't compromised in some way. Maybe an overrun. When making a given number of knives for a special run there are often extras that are not finished out once the production number is reached.

[Gumshoe]

That makes sense. Thank you, Wayne.