That's a lot of money for a knife. Even though it was a early knife there was no plating on it, no proven Vietnam history to the knife as to if it was even in the area at time, although the owner was involved with NASA no proof if it was a actual NASA ordered knife. To me this knife sold for that much money on just a lot of if's and speculations. This is one where someone bought the story and the knife.
This is true, but it isn't a story out of the blue. Much of it is based on Lt. Col. Salvo's obit and history. Most facts about his personal history are relatively easy to confirm, including Project Mercury, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, etc.
The carry of the knife in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia is a deduction as is the acquisition during the early space program. But even that can be nailed down with a few phone calls or letters. It seems as if the character of the knife itself is consistant with the deductions.
I am not a collector, but I personally wanted this knife ... but at about 2k less. I wonder when we will ever see another knife of this gendre at auction, or for that matter, when a similar knife was for sale? That question alone might make the price seem worthwhile. Regards...
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there may not be another knife in the entire world that is connected to so much 1960s US history, certainly not to the early space program AND war in S.E.Asia. I doubt any of the early model 17s were acquired by a person who later deployed, and then when retired had the resume to be seconded to USAID Vietnam, Laos etc. This took a unique man with a unique resume. The more I think about it, the more I think someone got a bargain. Just my opinion as a historian and artifact junkie. Regards.
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