An old Tru-Bal catalog identifies this model as the original design for the RIFLEMAN. It was only made from 1975-1976 before it was revised in 1977 in the form of a model #6-B. Here is the description of the Model No. 6-A RIFLEMAN from that old catalog:

Tru-Bal Model No. 6-A Rifleman

The new Tru-Bal Frontier model RIFLEMAN’S THROWING KNIFE is custom quality and hand-crafted by Harry K. McEvoy especially for America’s muzzle-loading enthusiasts. It’s design is based on existing specimens remaing from the late 1700′s and early 1800′s, with built in “balance” for throwing by either blade OR handle.

I traded a brand new Model No. 6 plus a generous amount of cash to a member of the Tru-Bal Throwing Knife Society for this early Model No. 6-A RIFLEMAN made by Harry K. McEvoy.

Tru-Bal Model No. 6-A Rifleman

He saw one of the posts here with the catalog descriptions of Tru-Bal knives and that helped him identify what he had. He commented about it and we started emailing back-and-forth about it and were finally able to come to a mutually satisfactory trade.

He’s happy to have a new knife to throw that he doesn’t have to worry about ruining since it can be replaced plus he’s also happy knowing his vintage Tru-Bal knife has a good home with a collector who will really cherish it (me!).

Tru-Bal Model No. 6-A Rifleman

Tru-Bal Model No. 6-A Rifleman

Tru-Bal Model No. 6-A Rifleman

Well, here are some excerpts from our conversation so you can read it in his own (paraphrased) words:

Looks like I have a Rifleman #6A. I was wondering what model I had here. I wish I knew when it was made.

I actually bought this knife on a whim. I was talking to a knife collector at a major gun show, and he asked me if I liked throwing knives. I told him I used to throw, and still had a couple of Gil Hibben throwers around. He told me he had a really unique thrower, but then he could not find it. I left his table and went on a ways, when he came up and tugged on my elbow. He had found the knife (on top of his table) and had me go back to his table. I had never seen a knife like this. It was longer than expected, and had a weird shape. You can tell it is hand made and not machine made. It has a large sheath, both marked with the same symbols and TRU-BAL. I see by the catalog pages that it is the first version of the Rifleman, made in 1975-76. He said he had carried the knife a long time, and he shot me a price. I usually wheel and deal, but this time I just said OK. I don’t think I stole it, but I thought the price was fair.

Thanks to your web sight, I have learned more about these knives and their maker.

Here are some pics. They came out very dark. You should be able to click on them to enlarge them. The blade is so shiny, up close I could see the reflection of the camera. The sheath has one cut up high in the back. It does not really show on the front, but you can see it on the back. It is about 1/2 to 3/4″. Looks like the point punctured it at one time. It does not threaten the structural integrity of the sheath, so I see no problem in using it. It is not going to tear through to the side.

I like the fact I will still have one of these Tru-Bal knives. I don’t mind at all that a collector would like an older model. I always feel better throwing a knife that can be easily replaced. If I managed to ruin a collector’s item, I would be mad at myself.

I got your check and the knife today. I liked comparing the knives side-by-side. You can see the handwork in the early knife. The Sheath is a much softer material also. I will miss my knife, but I like the style of the new one better. I also like that a collector will put this knife with others from the same maker.

DarryH
Nebraska

Tru-Bal Model No. 6-A Rifleman

Tru-Bal Model No. 6-A Rifleman

If you have a story about a Model No. 6-A or any pictures of one please fill out the comment form below and share with everyone.

This is a Tru-Bal Model No. 4-A I won on eBay in February of 2009 from the same gentleman I purchased a Model No.70 from. I bid on it because I did not already have a Model No. 4 that was made by Harry. This model wasn’t being made in 1983 and 1984 when I was purchasing Tru-Bal throwing knives. The one that was being made then was the Model No. 4-B BATTLE BLADE COMBAT THROWER. So I had to have this one.

Tru-Bal Model No.4 with Black Leather Riveted Sheath

Here is his auction description:

Tru Bal Model 4 Battle Blade Throwing Knife

Last chance for Tru Bal collectors. I am liquidating my over thirty-five year collection of Harry McEvoy Tru Bal knifes and other collectible throwing knives. The knife offered here is the last one of the early ones that I obtained in the mid 1970′s. It has an overall length of just over 11 1/2 inches. It comes with an early Tru Bal black leather sheath with multiple rivits. The knife blade has the Tru Bal emblem. Tru Bal written out and three stars on one side and the Tru Bal emblem on the obverse side of the blade which is typical of the early knives. It is very close to mint other than a few small scraches and the very few normal slight pits in the metal (not caused by corrosion, but typical of the tool steel used in the early knives). The knife appears to have been never thrown. I am told this model Tru Bal was popular in Viet Nam as it is smaller and weighs somewhat less than some of the other models.

Overall this knife is highly desirable, very early, Tru Bal that any collector would be happy to won. I have set a reasonable reserve price of what I actually paid for the knife over thirty years ago.

True to his description, Bruce did not offer any more Tru-Bal throwing knifes for sale on eBay after that. I’m glad to have gotten this one. It is a very nice piece. I do really like the black leather sheath with the studs, which proves again how little I know because I thought that black sheaths were only a recent thing with Tru-Bal!

The Model No. 4-A BATTLE BLADE throwing knives were made by Harry K. McEvoy between 1966-1981. I am going to have to find out when Stephen started making it again as the current Model No. 4.

If you have a story about a Model No. 4 or any pictures of one please fill out the comment form below and share with everyone.

This is a Tru-Bal Model No. 70 I won on eBay in February of 2009. I bid on it because I did not already have a Model No. 70 that was made by Harry. This model wasn’t being made in 1983 and 1984 when I was purchasing Tru-Bal throwing knives. It was in excellent condition for a knife that the seller claimed was from the mid 1970′s.

Tru-Bal Model No. 70 with Plain Sheath

Here is his auction description:

I am liquidating my over thirty year collection of Harry McEvoy Tru Bal knifes and other collectible throwing knives. The knife offered here is another one of the early ones that I obtained in the mid 1970′s. It has an overall length of just over 13 inches. It comes with an early Tru Bal leather sheath which is very unusual in that it does not have the normal Tru Bal emblem. Tru Bal written out and three stars on one side and the Tru Bal emblem on the obverse side of the blade. It is very close to mint and appears to have been never thrown.

After I won the auction I asked the seller to tell me anything more about the knife he could recall and he emailed me back with this:

Well, that knife was bought in the early 70′s at either the West Palm Beach Gunshow or the Lakeland gunshow as those were the main shows I was attending at the time. Best I can remember I bought it off of a table, but do not remember the seller. Info on knife was probably from some of the catalogs I have. Some of which I picked up along the way and some I got from Harry’s son about ten years ago when I bought some knives from him. Sorry, but that is the best I can do.

Bruce
Ocala, FL

I guess I missed his collection that he sold before this one. After this he offered a Model No. 4 which I also won. I’ve documented that on another post.

If you have a story about a Model No. 70 or any pictures of one please fill out the comment form below and share with everyone.

This is the knife that is the prize of my Harry K. McEvoy collection because it is one-of-a-kind. It has an amazing story.

In the video I called it a “Model No. 81″ by mistake. Actually as you will see in the letters below it was (sort of) a Model No. 82 for a “franchise” Harry licensed a few of his models to called Tru-Bal West. Harry never actually offered this version publicly so it really didn’t have an actual Tru-Bal™ model number but I’ll call it an 82 here to keep it simple (hopefully).

On March 22, 1983 Harry K. McEvoy wrote me a letter that contained this information:

Dear Ken,

Just a note to say I appreciate your nice letter of 3/17 and I’m glad you understand about my son taking over Tru-Bal when I die or become unable to carry on the business.

I sold the entire manufacturing rights to my models #1 & 3 (including the die set for #1) to:

Tru-Bal West
Mr. George Tew – (owner)
PO Box 1496
Pawhuska, Okahoma, 74056

The franchise included the name: TRU-BAL WEST.

I’m sure you have models #1 & 3. These are the two they have to sell, plus one I designed for them – their Model #82 “Indian Lancehead Professional Thrower.” It is simply a model #80 of my regular line with the “wings” ground off – as per attached above. If you want one I’ll revamp a #80 for you – price would be $27.00 – same as for the #80, since I have to use a #80 to make a #82 Lancehead Thrower. I still have about a dozen only left of #80, and when they are sold that will be the end of them. I would not charge you anything to convert a #80 to the Lancehead thrower, but NO discount on #80.

(He talked about changes he was making to his model #5 here too.)

Cordially,

Harry K. McEvoy

PS – Would enjoy seeing you in MICH. if you get up this way this summer.

The son he was talking about was of course Stephen D. McEvoy who is still making knives today that you can buy on this web site. The PS was because I have family in Michigan and I wrote him that I thought I could get up to my family reunion that summer and I might have been able to stop by and visit with him. I did not get a chance to do that and I really regret it now. I surely would have met Stephen then too no doubt!

He drew me a picture of what would be involved to convert a #80 into a #82 by cutting out the picture of a #80 in his catalog and drawing on it. He stapled that picture to his letter. You can see below.

I definitely took Harry up on his offer for an “Indian Lancehead Professional Thrower” and sent him a check with a new order.

On Thursday, 5/19/1983 he sent me this letter:

Dear Mr. Gary,

Thank you for your order for 3 #79 Sport-Pros and one Indian Lancehead Thrower – all without sheaths.

Fortunately I made up a Lancehead (from a #80) a few weeks ago while I still had some stock left on #80. (I still have 4 #80′s left in stock but that’s all and I think they will (soon) be considered “collectors items” I’ll save them for you if you want them at $27 each without sheaths ($31 with sheaths) at the 1981-82 prices. But you should let me know pronto.

(He wrote more about the #79′s I ordered and took care of some very rare business I’ll talk about in another post some other time.)

Sincerely,

Harry K. McEvoy

Then on May 24th, 1983 when I received my shipment he wrote this on the invoice:

1 Special Lancehead Thrower (Rush) – $27.00
(NOTE – No more “Lanceheads” are available. This was the only one I made up. -HKM)

So that is my proof that this is a one-of-a-kind extremely rare throwing knife. I’ll post entire copies of all of these letters in the correspondence section of this web site.

Tru-Bal West catalog features the Model No. 82 INDIAN LANCEHEAD throwing knife which was unique to them.

Catalog Description (from when I bought it in the early 1980′s) :

The SUPER-PRO Model 80 is the ultimate achievement in advanced design and development of the famous professional throwing knife line by Tru-Bal. It provides sportsmen and professional throwers alike with a knife for precision throwing that combines perfect center balance with the exactly correct length and weight for proper target penetration and maximum control. It throws equally well by handle OR blade in the professional style of throwing and is 13 1/2″ overall, 2″ wide and 3/16″ thick. Knife weight is 15 oz. Please add $4.00 if a strong leather sheath is desired.

Catalog Description (from when I bought it in the early 1980′s) :

Model 76 THROWING DIRK was designed by Harry McEvoy in honor of America’s Bicentennial. Like all Tru-Bal knives it is handmade of super-tough, specially tempered spring steel for a lifetime of rugged use. Thrown equally well by handle OR blade, it comes with heavy, handcrafted leather sheath and complete instructions for throwing. This is a true professional throwing knife — a real collector’s item you will be proud to own and throw! It is 13 1/2″ overall in length, 2″ wide, 3/16″ thick and it weighs 15 ounes — same weight as the Bowie-Axe throwing knife.

Catalog Description (from when I bought it in the early 1980’s) :

The Tru-Bal RIFLEMAN’s throwing knife has been very popular with the nation’s muzzle-loading enthusiasts. Specially made for throwing by either blade or handle. Same steel, temper, and high quality workmanship as all Tru-Bal throwing knives. Heavy duty leather sheath and instruction sheet included. The overall length is 13 1/2″, width 1 1/2″, thickness 3/16″, wt. 14 oz.

Catalog Description (from when I bought it in the early 1980’s) :

The Tru-Bal “TRU-PRO” combines the best features of throwing knives designed and used by the world’s greatest professional knife throwers into a new and truly perfect professional throwing knife. It is designed and balanced to be hurled by handle OR blade for uncanny accuracy in the professional style of throwing, and for maximum penetration and control.

Handcrafted of super-tough, specially tempered spring steel and polished to a mirror-like finish, it will stand up to a lifetime of rugged use. The Tru-Balance “TRU-PRO” has a full seven year unconditional guarantee against blade breakage. Complete throwing instructions are included with every order. If a strong leather sheath is desired, please add $4.00 per sheath.

Overall length is 13 1/2″, width 2″, and thickness 3/16″. Knife weight 15 oz.

Catalog Description (from when I bought it in the early 1980’s) :

Overall length 12″, width 2″, thickness 3/16″, weight 14 ounces. This fine combat weapon is a combination fighting, hunting, survival and throwing knife. Like all Tru-Bal knives shown above, it is handcrafted of super-tough, especially tempered sprint steel with extended tang to take up the shock of throwing. Handle slabs are of durable vulcanized fiber, heavily riveted on. This rugged foot-long fighting knife represents a triumph in combat cutlery! Strong leather sheath and throwing instructions included.

Catalog Description (from when I bought it in the early 1980′s) :

Overall length 12″, width 2″, thickness 3/16″, weight 12-1/2 ounces. This is a combination all-purpose throwing and hunting knife especially designed as a “game getter” for hunting as well as for target use. Strong handmade leather sheath included. All Tru-Balance knives are guaranteed five years against blade breakage. Instructions included on how to throw all Tru-Bal knives.