^Lot 1530 IDENTIFIED WW2 FRANK RICHTIG FIGHTING KNIFE.

Frank Richtig made his famous knives from 1927 until 1977 in Clarkson, Nebraska. He was well known for his secret temper method & his knives were featured in Ripley's Believe it or Not for their ability to chop steel bolts & railroad spikes. His knives were famously used in WW2 by American forces. Among his satisfied customers who sent him letters were President FDR, Admiral Nimitz, Generals MacArthur, Eisenhower & Patton. This knife measures 9 1/2" overall w/ a 5" blade. The knife has leather handles w/ brown spaces. The knife also has brass crossguard & pommel. The crossguard is marked "F.J.R. CLARKSON NEB.". The pommel has a lanyard ring w/ leather lanyard. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: unmarked leather scabbard in fair condition w/ a WW2 dog tag marked "DONALD E EHLERS 36842725 T44". The dog tag number shows that this soldier was a draftee & part of the Sixth Army Corps Area. A cursory search reveals two Donald H. Ehlers one from Iowa who served in the Army Air Corps & lived from 1921 until 2003. The other Donald H Ehlers was a Private First Class from Wisconsin & lived from 1926 until 1998. Further research may prove fruitful in determining which of these veterans used this knife. CONDITON: handles show overall handling wear & some dings Brass parts are dulling to a yellow patina w/ oxidation. Blade is a gray patina w/ oxidation. PROVENANCE: From the Lifelong Collection of Glen E. Mattox. (02-18614/MJC). $1000-1500.