Remington R17 Ball-Pull Switchblade

[IMBand]

I recently purchased a Rem R17 and it has white plastic handles and they show some stress
near the pins. I intend to send this to MM for re-handle in Marigold Bone but wanted to ask
some of you Rem guys about the script on the knife. It reads 'OVER THE LINE IN 40'.
From a little poking around it looks like this may be a reference to WWII ?? Maybe the Maginot
or Siegfried Lines....I am leaning toward Siegfried. I did also read that the UK had a 1935-1940
New Works Programme that had to do with transportation lines ?? I guess it helps to date the
knife if nothing else. Help would be appreciated, trying to figure out if I should remove the
stock handles or if they add value.

Added a poor pic......but it does say "Over the Line in '40"

IM

[Miller Bro's]

No surprise here but I say leave the handles as is.

These are not rare and you can fairly easily find another one with plain or badly damaged handles and have that one re-handled

JMO

[remington collector]

I agree, leave the knife as is, replacing the handles will only lower the value of said knife. I'd much rather have damaged original handles than bright shiny replacements.