I.D. help for soldiers family

[Kaboomer777]

*I’m assuming that this is handmade and not a production piece, I cannot find a name on knife other than hand etched USMC & WLG on guard) I know nothing about this at all except I looked up name and cannot find soldier by this name but by a very similar name, William L Griffin (that would be exact name but no G on end of Griffing like on sheath) but says soldier died in line of duty in 1918 and this knife doesn’t look that old to me but I’m new to knives and know nothing. I would like to get it back to a family member as I found it for sale at flea market. Just looking for help dating it and maybe history of it or anything similar. I can provide more pics if needed this is all I have at time of initial posting. Thanks in advance

 

[KenH]

Good luck finding the family, and thank you for your effort - that sheath does look interesting. would it be possible to post a photo of the knife out of sheath?

 

[MTBob]

I did a quick search of this name (as spelled on the sheath) and also found nothing meaningful.
The text on the sheath would lead me to believe that this sheath (if it was made for this knife) was prepared by someone other than Griffings' buddies or someone in the USMC. The way it's worded makes me think it may have been made by someone who perhaps didn't know Griffing, or was a non-military friend of his.
Just some thoughts.

 

[Kaboomer777]

Good luck finding the family, and thank you for your effort - that sheath does look interesting. would it be possible to post a photo of the knife out of sheath?

Here you are, and thanks so much for the replies

 

[SS369]

Looks like a handmade Smatchet.
I’ve had no success with the name, although, there are paid name finding sites that show it.

 

[JeremyBartlett]

Where are you located and do you think this may have been a local person? I've found a few old millitary records with that name, in Arkansas and California

 

[Kaboomer777]

Where are you located and do you think this may have been a local person? I've found a few old millitary records with that name, in Arkansas and California

so i do estate sales here in North Florida and we are home to quite a few military bases, there is no telling how this knife arrived at that sale, but i found it and purchased it in hopes of returning to family perhaps. if not, id like someone who appreciates these type of historical items to get it and display or collect ?

 

[Edwardshandmadeknives]

Handmade smatchet, or possibly a re-handled and modified one. Pretty cool!