To my eye (admittedly it's been a while), those look like Winchester proof marks.

Thanks again atb.

That’s an amazing find. I hope it will be well taken care of in his memory. As you mentioned, so young when he died.   Thanks, Dan

Not painted it's covered in 3M white reflective tape.

thanks for the input Marv. The grips, it turns out, are off of a REVERE WARE pot. I actually sent the blade off to Dan Brock at Plowshare Forge. (plowshareforge@gmail.com) He has re-handled knives for me in the past. I like his work. Don't know what style handle we will do yet but when it comes back I will post the pictures.

Hello, the M1 helmet of Clarence E. Dowdy was recently found in a barn in Bezange-La-Petite, France by a friend of mine. Clarence was 19 years old when he was killed.

The Lost Battalion (2001); though made for TV and playing loose with some facts, this is a decent film about the WWI US 77th Division “Lost Battalion.” You can watch it for free on YouTube.

Great post - very interesting to see the detail of the markings. Hope you frame it!

US Strategic Communications Command (USASTRATCOM) was a worldwide organization with many assigned units. MPs were assigned as security at communications sites. In 1973-74 the name was changed to US Army Communications Command (USACC). I was with the US Army Signal Support Agency-Mediterranean (USA Sig Spt Agcy-Med), Camp Darby, Italy. It was subordinate to US Army Communications Command-Europe (USACC-E) headquartered in Germany, which itself was subordinate to USACC. In 1974, USACC-E became the 5th Signal Command. In 1976, USA Sig Spt Agcy-Med was redesignated as the 509th Signal Battalion.   USA SIG Spt Agcy-Med had MPs assigned as site security for its big commo site at Coltano. They were not a company or a detachment, but part of the headquarters and headquarters company. We also had a site near the French border, and one at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, also home to the 509th Infantry Aiborne Battalion Combat Team.

Its a massive rabbit hole, but a fun one at least.  Have a look at Army Regulations No.600-40 Available here.  https://www.usww2uniforms.com/bib_AR600-40_28aug41.html   Also get yourself the book ''SILVER WINGS, PINKS & GREENS Jon A. Maguire'' and the 2nd publication too, both still available and worth its weight in gold in my opinion.  Ill also send you a message.