My Christmas Present

[apis mellifera]

My Dad surprised me with the following items on Christmas. The first is a completely battered KABAR knife. My Grandfather was issued the knife in WWII and carried it to Japan and back. When he got home it was his hunting knife and he skinned countless deer, fish, and racoons to provide for the family. My Dad is the youngest of five boys and when Grandpa passed the knife down, Dad said they used it to dig tunnels and generally misuse the knife in ways only young boys can think of. I remember seeing the knife when I was probably my son's age, but hadn't seen it in decades. Obviously, it was a great gift.

The other thing in the box was the k98 bayonet. While growing up, we helped our older neighbor, Sterling Dahmer, farm in Greenbrier County, WV. Mr. Dahmer lived alone and over the years, became a very dear friend to our family. Eventually my parents became his caregivers and when he died at 96 on November 18th, Dad said, "It's like Dad (my Grandpa) died again." My Dad is notoriously stoic and for him to say that, I know it was rough.

So the bayonet... During the War, Mr. Dahmer stayed home to care for his parents while his brother was drafted and went to Europe. In those days, he farmed more and most of the work was done without machinery. German and Italian P.O.W.s were held at the nearby Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulfur Springs. Local farmers could get prisoner work crews to help with labor. Mr. Dahmer said he liked the Germans because they worked hard, but the Italians just wanted to lay around. His brother had a little different interaction the Germans. He brought home several items from Germany.

A few years ago, Dad was talking to Mr. Dahmer about wartime things and he mentioned that his brother brought home "a German pistol" and that Dad could have it if wanted it. He said he didn't want it in the house so he put it up in the rafters in the garage. Of course, my Dad went to look. Unfortunately, he didn't find the pistol, but he did find this bayonet. Mr. Dahmer gave it to him, along with a sheet of German stamps Mr. Dahmer's brother brought home.

I was very surprised to receive both of these knives. I'm not a knife collector, so if anyone has any information to offer, I'm listening.

And finally, the main reason for this post, the leather of the frog is flexible, but hard. I would like to clean the dirt off and preserve it. I have no idea how to proceed. Also, I can't make out the maker of the frog. In an arch between the rivets, it appears to say: XXANZ XREHNE and then something in a straight line below that. I'd assume it dates to 1938 as well.

Thanks

[PAcanis]

Very nice.
Great history and memories.
And that German bayo... WOW.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by apis mellifera

German and Italian P.O.W.s were held at the nearby Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulfur Springs. Local farmers could get prisoner work crews to help with labor. Mr. Dahmer said he liked the Germans because they worked hard, but the Italians just wanted to lay around.

... ...

[Edward Tinker]

very cool

[Maestro]

Very cool indeed! Thanks for sharing.
Here's an unissued 1943 M3 UTICA & it's M6 Leather Sheath