Iwo Jima Memorabilia Appraisal

Commemorative WWII Folding Knife (Iwo Jima Edition)

This is a commemorative World War II folding knife, presented in its original retail box. The knife measures 4 inches in folded length. Its construction comprises an outer handle made of a brass or brass-plated metal, which exhibits a lustrous golden hue with some slight patina or handling marks visible on the surface. The blades, which are not fully visible but indicated by the 'fully functioning' detail, are stated to be made of stainless steel, suggesting durability and resistance to corrosion. A prominent feature of the knife is the etched design on the brass handle. This includes the text 'WWII' at the top, a detailed depiction of the iconic Iwo Jima flag raising image in the center, and the dates '1941-1945' at the bottom, signifying the years of American involvement in World War II. The etching appears to be precisely executed, contributing to the commemorative aspect of the item. Visually, the knife shows no signs of damage, wear, or repair; it appears to be in excellent, original condition, consistent with it being a family inheritance and having no visible damage. The brass material shows areas of slight iridescent sheen, particularly towards the bottom of the handle, which could be natural oxidation or reflections. The craftsmanship appears to be of standard commercial quality for commemorative items, focusing on the decorative etching rather than highly refined bespoke knife-making. Given its commemorative nature and the '1941-1945' dates, it falls into the post-WWII period, likely manufactured decades later as a collectible. The knife is fully functional.