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Uncle's Swastika sheath knife brought back 1945


roysclockgun
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roysclockgun

My uncle, Arthur Ashe, was combat engineer with the 29th Division, who walked from the Normandy beaches, across France and into Germany, staying on for time as occupation troops. He gave me this sheath knife. Can anyone ID the piece. The figures on the blade are dim, but appear to be "SEP 65". The Swastika on the butt of the knife is in high relief, molded into the aluminum grip. 

Thank you, in advance for any intel, regarding the piece. Best, Steven

 

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It looks like a US made theater knife with an aluminum handle.  The sheath appears to be missing the retention strap, but the small brass knob on the front appears US (off a holster perhaps).  My best guess is that it was made at some point prior to the D-Day landings while your Uncle was in England, but it could have been made at any time after that.  It's most likely not German.

As to the letters/numbers on the blade I have no idea.

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roysclockgun

I appreciate the response. Hard to believe that an American made knife from the era would have a Swastika on the butt. Any idea why someone other than Germans of the period would put the high relief Swastika, molded into the aluminum?

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manayunkman

It’s not German.

 

Before the Natsies took the symbol it was often used as a good luck symbol here in the US.

 

Its actually a Native American symbol too and was used by the 45th ID on their shoulder patch.

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The Rooster
12 hours ago, manayunkman said:

It’s not German.

 

Before the Natsies took the symbol it was often used as a good luck symbol here in the US.

 

Its actually a Native American symbol too and was used by the 45th ID on their shoulder patch.

 

U.S. Army Center of Military History

April 3, 2018 ·

#Didyouknow Trivia Tuesdays For the first years of its existence, members of the The 45th Infantry Division proudly wore an ancient American Indian symbol of good luck, most commonly referred to as the swastika. The insignia served as recognition of the great number of Native Americans proudly serving in the 45th Infantry Division. The yellow swastika on a square background of red symbolized the Spanish Heritage of the four Southwestern states that made up the membership of the 45th—Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona. A similar symbol was adopted by the Nazi party in the late 1920’s, and as the National-Sozialiste Duetshe Arbeiter Partei (N.S.D.A.P.) rose to power in 1933 the symbol became so closely associated with German National socialism that it had to be abandoned as the insignia of the 45th Infantry Division.
The 45th Infantry Division held a contest to assist in selection of the new insignia eventually the Thunderbird became the new insignia of the 45th Infantry Division. In keeping with the tradition formerly established, it was also decided to maintain the same colors and design of the original insignia. The Thunderbird was a Native American symbol signifying "sacred bearer of happiness unlimited."
#educateinspirepreserve
For more info: http://www.45thdivisionmuseum.com/…/SwastikaToThunderbird.h…

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It's a French "Chantiers de Jeunesse" knife.
Chantiers de Jeunesse was a kind of scout organisation from 1940 to 1944.
Googled couteau chantier jeunesse.

Svastika is definitively not a personalisation from the original French owner.

100 % sure it's a Chantiers de Jeunesse knife with his original scabbard. 
If I well remember, maker is Sabatier

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roysclockgun

Thank you BenGunn. You nailed it. Further investigation shows it worth about $110. US. 

Best, 

Steven

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