Overview
The Model 1 was made famous by Allied combat troops in World War II and since widely used in all theaters of war. This knife has an 8" tool steel blade with a nearly sharpened top edge (dull now, but intended to be sharp). 0.179" blade stock and 1.223" blade depth, hidden tang construction. The handle has a brass guard, and a stacked leather grip with duralumin butt cap and red/white/blue spacers. Comes with brown leather sheath with a Lily stone. Has been used and carried. Has scratches and some light pitting and patina. VERY RARE, only approximately 1200 made between 1943-1945. Back of sheath was signed by the guy who carried it, "Guenther" Great condition for its age. This knife comes with a zippered case and a pair of cuff links from Walter Andrew Guenther. Also comes with an email from the son of Walter with some info about him and his time served.It reads as follows:
"My father (Walter Andrew Guenther) entered the Navy 5 July 1939. Discharged 20 June 1945 from US Naval Hospital Great Lakes. Service number 283 27 91. He was a Chief Motor Machinist Mate. He was stationed in the North Atlantic before War was declared against Germany. The problem there was that German ships were firing on the US and US ships were restricted from firing back! When the US declared war against Germany, US sailors were extremely happy. Before and during the war over a thousand ships were sunk in the North Atlantic. I know my father was issued a side arm during the ware also, he had told me he had orders to shoot anyone who deserted their stations, now I'm thinking this was probably in engine rooms... I believe he was issued the knife to be used to cut ropes on life boats if needed, although that is just a guess. My research said that is one reason the knife was issued. He must have had 25 duty stations, some USS Vulcan, USS Gallent, USS Long, Woods Hole, Newport and New Orleans. I never researched over the internet but I'm sure there is a lot more info"
