225Q - Owner Knighted By King of Sweden

[BryanJ]

First, it looks like 225Q’s have increased significantly $$ since the last one I bought. I previously had a very nice Cattaraugus 225Q and sold it a couple of years ago. So, a couple of weeks ago, I was scanning eBay for another 225Q and after 34 bids, got this one. It’s in really good shape and doesn’t look sharpened since leaving the factory. Most of the 225Q’s I’ve seen have really rough washers in the grip, while these are finely finished. I have no clue how rare that is for 225Q’s, but it’s nice. I’ve not seen one of these get so much eBay attention, 34 bids, and final price, about $225. Probably paid too much, but what the heck…

So, then we get to the name stamped on the sheath, John L. Sellstrom, not a particularly common name. So, a Google search of the name only resulted in one, a former Navy veteran (consistent with 225Q’s being standard issue Navy utility knife) during the period 1956-59. He was in the Navy’s Security Group (some sort of signals intelligent group as I learned). But, Mr. Sellstrom went on to become a very prominent U.S. lawyer, working with the Swedish consulate, where he was eventually knighted by H.M. King Carl Gustaf XVI. Now, there’s no known WWII history associated with this knife, and I don’t know exactly what Mr. Sellstrom did to be knighted, but it had to be significant. So, interesting knife, owned by an interesting former Navy veteran.

[C-WADE7]

Great knife and back story. The internet is amazing sometimes.

[1967redrider]

Great looking 225Q. It looks like the leather washers have been sealed for protection.