The provenance of this knife is not 100 hundred percent clear but I believe that J.J. HIRSCHBERG potentially acquired the name rights of MURRAY & GRAY Co. in the 1900s and manufactured this knife along with other Civil War era arms & surplus. Information on MURRAY & GRAY Co. Before the war, John P. Murray, an Englishman, was a well-known gunsmith in Columbus. When the war started, he converted flintlock muskets to percussion for the state of Georgia. Eldridge S. Greenwood and William C.. Gray operated a cotton warehouse business in Columbus. On January 17, 1862, they purchased a sword factory from A. H. Dewitt to start their riffle, carbine, and saber armory. J. P. Murray was master armorer at the new Greenwood and Gray factory. Columbus, Ga. Was the site of much ordnance activity during the war. In addition the arms from Greenwood and Gray, the firm of L. Haiman & Brother was located there, as well as a large Confederate arsenal and depot. All of this activity of the Columbus Ordnance Department was under the command of Major F. C. Humphreys. Major Humphereys’ initials appear on the barrels of the rifles and carbines made at Greenwood and Gray. Greenwood and Gray sold part of their production to the state of Alabama. Shipments of arms against this contract from October 1, 1863 to November 1864 show that a total of 262 Mississippi rifles and 73 carbines were invoiced to Alabama at $18,335. The barrels are marked "Ala." with the date and inspector’s mark. (source: Anthony and Hills Pictorial History Confederate Longarms and Pistols)22.4 ounces. 15-5/8 inches overall. 10 inch blade. 1/8 inch thick. Made in USA. Front Ricasso: MURRAY AND GRAY Co. ; Rear Ricasso: J.J. HIRSCHBERG LOUISVILLE KY. Steel blade. Wood handle. Steel guard.

34.0 ounces. 21 inches overall. 5 inch blade edge. 1-1/4 inches thick. Made in Poland or Ukraine. Steel Axe head w/ Viking Motifs. Rune Etched Wood handle w/ Twine Grip.

Model 19 Bushmaster was introduced by RMK in 1963. Designed by a professional woodsman for all-around camp and big game hunting purposes. An excellent big game skinning knife. Sheath looks to be Modern era (made by Sullivan's with Synthetic Thread since 1995) and the sharpening stone is Orange (the color since 1975).11.1 ounces. 9-1/2 inches overall. 5 inch blade. 1/4 inch thick. Made in USA. Stainless Steel blade. Front blade etch: (sword)RANDALL MADE ORLANDO, FL.(sword) S. Genuine Stag handle. Nickel silver hilt/Duralumin butt cap.

7.2 ounces. 9-1/4 inches overall. 4-1/2 inch blade. 3/16 inch thick. Damascus Steel blade. Genuine Buffalo Horn, Dymalux Wood, and Brass handle.

Craig Steketee began designing and crafting custom knives full-time as Stek Knives in 1991. He is a member of the Professional Knifemakers Association (PKA) and The American Bladesmith Society (ABS).10.4 ounces. 13-3/4 inches overall. 9-1/2 inch blade. 3/16 inch thick. Made in USA. Front Ricasso: STEK. Damascus Steel Blade. Wood handle. Mosaic Pins.

Shiva Ki is a Louisiana knifemaker who makes sold his first knife in 1981. 8.0 ounces. 13-1/4 inches overall. 9 inch blade. 3/16 inch thick. Made in USA. Ivory & Kudu Horn handle. Turquoise Stone Butt cap.

8.8 ounces. 8-1/2 inches overall. 4-1/4 inch blade. 1/4 inch thick. Made in USA. Tiger Stripe Steel blade. Front blade etch: (logo) STRIDER. Black G10 handle.

RARE LOW SERIAL NUMBER #008!!! Manufactured date is 5/30/1985. Potentially less than 1,000 of these were made by Manfred Sachse. 5.1 ounces. 10-1/8 inches overall. 5-1/8 inch blade. 1/4 inch thick. Made in Germany. Damascus Steel blade. Front blade etch: kershaw DAMASCUS SOLINGEN GERMANY 008. Genuine Stag handle.

Bob 'RJY' Young is a custom knife maker that was based in Michican. He was a supervisor at the Marbles Factory in Gladstone, Michigan, before retiring and making his own knives. 11.9 ounces. 13 inches overall. 8 inch blade. 3/16 inch thick. Made in USA. Front Ricasso: RJY ; Rear Ricasso: 2006. Steel blade. Genuine Stag handle. Brass guard. Stag Pommel.

Ron Gaston was one of the most prolific makers of custom knives, and a long time member of the Knife Makers Guild. He was one of the pioneers of the modern custom knife movement. He sold his first knife in 1980. His knives have been featured in all the major knife magazines and sold around the world. Ron's specialty during his knifemaking career was fixed blade knives. He was well liked and appreciated throughout the knife community. Ron passed away in 2006. Inducted into The ABS Bladesmithing Hall of Fame in 2021.7.1 ounces. 8-1/2 inches overall. 3-3/4 inch blade. 3/16 inch thick. Made in USA. Stainless Steel blade. Front blade etch: GASTON. Genuine Fossilized Walrus Ivory handle. Steel bolster guard.