Jack, All interesting points that I personaly agree with. However, being a sceptic I also think that this knife would of increased in value with just a little more documentation. Like a direct connection to this officer. When you think about it this Astro really is only different than others available by the engraved block letter logo on the blade and the markings with his name on the sheath and the handle. When artifacts start approching these values it is possible for unscrupolous folks to change some things. (I am not saying that is the case here however it has been known to happen) In my opinion complete provenence is everything and something like a notorized letter from a realitive of the original owner or his realitives or some other connection to the man and this exact knife personally, would go the next step to proving the chain of ownership. At that point all of the other documentation and stories would be irrefutable.

Just my opinion from dealing with other documented and undocumeted collectibles.

To be clear this was a rare piece with potentially great history, and I would like to own it as well. I'm just saying with a little more documentation the "buy the knife, not the story" would be less applicable to this great knife.