Promotional 2.5-inch long knife encased in a 4.25-inch diameter Lucite case made by the Randall Knife Company. The item was created to promote the knife they manufactured that Alan Shepard took into space on the first American space mission. Also encased is a small placard that reads: “1st knife in space, Carried by Cmdr. Shepard May 5, 1961, Randall Made Knives, Orlando, Florida.”The wording is a little ambiguous, which has led to speculation that this actual knife has flown in space. Although that is not the case, the promotional item is still a unique artifact from the first Mercury mission! RRAuction COA.
