1545 EXTREMELY DESIRABLE VIETNAM SPECIAL FORCES

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This item SOLD at 2023 Nov 03 @ 18:15UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 250.00 USD
Estimated at 500.00 - 800.00 USD
FIGHTING KNIFE, ID'D TO SGM. JOSEPH P. LISI WITH EXTENSIVE PROVENANCE. The sturdy clip point blade measures 6" in length, with an overall length of 10 5/8". The right side of the of the blade is marked with a Special Forces "DE OPPRESSO LIBER" (To Liberate From Oppression) badge, followed by "5th SPECIAL FORCES GROUP (Abn)/ VIETNAM", with "SGM. JOSEPH P. LISI" engraved on the left. Joseph P. Lisi had a notable career during his 29 years of service, having been wounded in the right shoulder and head from a hand grenade in May of 1951 while serving as an Automatic Rifleman in Korea. Some of Lisi's military career highlights include jumping as a Pathfinder for the parachute assault on Bu Panng, being a member of the recovery team for Project Mercury, training the Iranian Army in counter insurgency techniques, being a member of the 1st Co. 10th Special Forces Group (the first group to test wearing of the green beret), demonstrating archery as a silent killer to the Shah of Iran (photo present), amongst other notable career highlights. The knife features a steel guard and pommel, with brass retaining nut on the butt. Leather washer handle featuring white plastic spacers. Proper unmarked black leather sheath with whetstone. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: extensive provenance including photographs, 5th Special Forces Mess Association Vietnam labels, Vietnam War propaganda cards, and service record. CONDITION: blade exhibits wear and thinning overall to its blued finish, with mild pitting and spots of discoloration that would be synonymous with use in the Vietnam climate. The leather washer grip exhibits some concentrated areas of extremely light age related cracking and scattered marks from handling and storage, but otherwise remains sturdy and serviceable. Sheath exhibits marks from handling and storage, with areas of light age related cracking and crazing. A desirable knife in and of itself, the provenance tying this fighting knife to Joseph P. Lisi, makes for an incredibly desirable Vietnam Special Forces fighting knife. PROVENANCE: From the Lifelong Collection of Glen E. Mattox. (02-18479/MLW). $500-800.