This old Western knife has seen better days. Having other nice Western knifes in my possession, I know this one was no different at the beginning, a beautiful blued polished blade, nice leather washer handle and nice leather sheath.
This knife has had some hard use. A blade tip that broke off and then re-tipped, rust and rust staining to the blade, blade sharpening probably done quick and rough and leather that has dried and turned hard in some places. Normally not a knife I would have acquired. What I DO LOVE ABOUT it is the information punched into the leather sheath by the sailor.
This is what it says on the front of the sheath:
Ward Vaupel
one. o. nine
Seabees
Pittsburght

Other side:
Marshall Island
Kwajelien Island
Roi.Namur Island
Feb. Fourty Four
Here are some some pictures of Ward Vaupel's knife and sheath:

Attached Images

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Appears to be one of those" If only it could talk" knives.

While I like that knife, I am really digging that sheath.

Do a Google search on "Howard Vaupel". His obit pops up first and mentions his WWII Pacific Theatre service.
You may wish to keep a copy of this with the knife.
There are other references from the search where you may even find a picture. Who knows.....

VAUPEL HOWARD E.
Age 90, of Bethel Park, formerly of Brookline, peacefully on Thursday, April 17, 2008. Beloved husband of 65 years to Nelda. Loving father of David (Deborah) Vaupel, and Cheryl (George) Donahue; dear grandfather of Jennifer (Kevin) Streussnig and Eric (Allison) Vaupel; great grandfather of 3 great granddaughters; brother of Glenn (Carolyn) Vaupel. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. He proudly served his country during WWII-Pacific Theater. Friends will be received on Sunday, 2-4 & 7-9 at the PAUL L. HENNEY MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 5570 Library Road, Bethel Park, PA. Service will be held Monday 9:30 AM at the funeral home. Interment to follow at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
Paul L. Henney Memorial Chapel, Inc. | Bethel Park PA funeral home and cremation
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb

Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Apr. 19 to Apr. 20, 2008 - See more at: Howard Vaupel Obituary - Pittsburgh, PA | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Thanks for the comments guys.
JH1951, appreciate the obit and taking the time to pull it for me. I'll print it off and keep it with the knife.
Kim

A piece of history you can hold in your hand and marvel at.

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It saddens me to see no one cared enough to keep this treasure in the family. At least someone got it that appreciates its history. Thanks for sharing.
Mark

I would love to own a knife like that, with the record of its history. I know you'll treasure it as I would.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I bet if it was cleaned up and sharpin it would hold a good edge.

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Actually it is quite sharp! Mr Vaupel must have put it away sharp!
When I applied some oil to the blade last summer, I was using a thin cotton cloth square of the type that I normally use to run through the barrel of a gun.
As I cleaned the blade, I ran it across the sharp edge and it cut my finger in an instant!
Kim

It is up to you, but you might want to contact his family and see if any of them are interested in it. They might not know it exists.

Truly a great find. It is things like that where you know you are holding a piece of history in your hand and the sheath is telling you just a little of what the two of them went through that is amazing to me.

It could have been stolen from him at some time, it wouldn't be the first time that's happened.

Yep...anything is possible. However most "family" pieces, anything that is special or meaningful or collectable or has value or not, tends to leave the family it originally belonged to intentionally within one - two - three generations. At least that is my opinion.
Think about it. For any of you that have had relatives in the Civil War, where is that persons uniform today? One could say he wore it until it was threadbare after the war or it was eaten by moths in the attic. But where is his hat? uniform buttons? belt buckle? My opinion is that it mostly all gets pitched or sold.
Fortunately there are those that appreciate historical items and so these artifacts are saved and are appreciated for what they are for another generation.
Kim