I've only seen jigged bone scales on King of the Woods models (except one other post: http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... +the+woods) 4th picture down, and I've NOT seen a King of the Woods with this style of lock-back blade release without the swing-out finger guard of the 12839's. Based on the Cattaraugus numbering system, I suppose it would be designated as a "128?6" (I am pretty sure the scales are ebony...ergo designated with a "6").
It's in very nice condition, but the pattern number stamp was either completely polished off, or not originally imprinted (which seems unlikely). But of the 2 ebony King of the Woods I've seen, neither have pattern numbers on them.
It's about 9.25 inches open...weighs in at about a half-pound.
If I had to guess, and I REALLY HOPE A CATTARAUGUS EXPERT WILL CORRECT ME if I'm wrong, but I think the first K.O.T.W. was the 12819 without a lockback, which would be the 1 blade, 2 bolsters, model #81 with jigged-bone scale (i.e #9) = 12819.
Then, at some point, those brilliant Cattaraugus craftsman decided to make an improvement and added a liner-lock to keep hunters from losing their fingers, so they came up with the model #82 (12829). Also with jigged-bone scales.
Here is where I'm really guessing. I think someone had the idea of improving the lock-back by placing it out of the liner and relocating it on the back of the knife, where it seems to be most safe and accessible. To "celebrate" I think they decided to embellish this knife with ebony scales...and I'd have to guess at the pattern number, but it might have been designated the #12826 or the #12836 (the "6" designates Cattaraugus' use of ebony for scales).
Now my knife pictured below is WITHOUT the swing-out finger guard at the end of the knife mind you...that must have been a transition I think, probably in response to a need for further safety for this rather massive blade. So now they had the 1283"6" which was the same as the 12839 but with ebony scales.
But The question is, when did these changes take place? When was the first K.O.T.W. made? When were the subsequent models introduced? Why ebony? Any other scales out there (MOP, cocobolo, etc)? Anyone know for sure what model this one is? Year for this "maybe transitional" model? How scarce is it in comparison to the other 3 models (12819, 12829, 12839)? Anyone able to "guess-timate" the value...?
So there you have it...tons of conjecture on my part,
Any info or guesses appreciated. Maybe even some facts thrown in for good measure?
