Overall length of the open knife is approx. 12 inches in length.

The clipped point blade meas. approx. 7.25 inches long x 0.75 of an inch wide at its base. Surface is bright with light scattered mottling. Edge is sharp and shows signs of recent sharpening.

The base of the blade has a slightly “S” shaped guard and a handle made of stag horn with an iron ferrule at bottom.

The left side of the ferrule has a button that when depressed allows the knife to fold up into a slot in the handle. Once folded the knife opens by depressing the button and removing the blade. Knife does not open automatically. This is not a switchblade.

Just below the button used to open and close the knife is the engraved year “1943.”

When closed the knife fits into a leather sheath. The sheath is missing its tip so the blade point sticks out a bit. There is no flap at top. Sheath has a sewn rear seam that is in good condition.

Written on one side of the sheath in period ink is “J.D.W.” and the serial number “33926982.” Forward of that is written “PAULINE” above the names “ELLEN” and “BRENDA.”

Research shows that the knife belonged to John Dawson Witmeyer of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Witmeyer was born on August 13, 1918. He was drafted into the Army on March 23, 1944. At the time he was drafted he was married to his wife Pauline and had two daughters Ellen and Brenda all of whose names appear on the knife sheath offered here. According to his Pennsylvania Veterans Burial card Witmeyer served with Company F, 234^th Engineer Special Service Regiment and was overseas from November of 1944 to December of 1945.

Mr. Witmeyer died in Point Pleasant, New Jersey on July 31, 1986 and is buried in Covenant Greenwood Cemetery, Ebenezer, Pennsylvania.  [ad]

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