234 - An assortment of vintage diving equipment and professional restraints. The collection includes a U.S. Divers Co. Aqua-Lung knife featuring a clip-point stainless steel blade with a serrated spine and a molded black plastic handle with a diamond-pattern grip. A second U.S. Divers Co. Sea Hawk knife is constructed with a drop-point blade and a contoured black rubber handle. Both diving knives are accompanied by molded black rubber sheaths featuring embossed Aqua-Lung logos. Completing the lot are two pairs of Hiatt steel keyless figure-eight style handcuffs. The diving knives feature etched ruler scales on the blade faces. The handcuffs are marked Hiatt Steel and British Made. U.S. Divers Sea Hawk: 10 3/4" L. Blade: 6" L. Handcuffs: 4 1/2" L x 3 1/4" W.

An assortment of vintage diving equipment and professional restraints. The collection includes a U.S. Divers Co. Aqua-Lung knife featuring a clip-point stainless steel blade with a serrated spine and a molded black plastic handle with a diamond-pattern grip. A second U.S. Divers Co. Sea Hawk knife is constructed with a drop-point blade and a contoured black rubber handle. Both diving knives are accompanied by molded black rubber sheaths featuring embossed Aqua-Lung logos. Completing the lot are two pairs of Hiatt steel keyless figure-eight style handcuffs. The diving knives feature etched ruler scales on the blade faces. The handcuffs are marked Hiatt Steel and British Made. U.S. Divers Sea Hawk: 10 3/4" L. Blade: 6" L. Handcuffs: 4 1/2" L x 3 1/4" W. A personal note from Wendy Benchley: “Peter always had one of these knives with him as security. Once, there was a dangerous entanglement with a fishing line caught around a fast-moving shark. He was pulled down as the shark headed for the deep, and the line needed to be cut. As fate would have it, he couldn't reach his knife, and his life was saved only because the shark turned back to the surface and loosened the line. This dive adventure and many more are recounted in Peter's book Shark Trouble.” From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940-2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation. Proceeds from the Peter Benchley Collection will benefit five ocean conservation organizations: Peter Benchley Ocean Awards, WildAid, Beneath the Waves, Blue Frontier and Environmental Defense Fund. CONDITION: All items exhibit signs of heavy use and age-related wear. The U.S. Divers Aqua-Lung knife shows significant rust and pitting on the metal pommel and tang. The Sea Hawk knife displays surface oxidation on the pommel and minor spotting on the blade serrations. The Wenoka knife exhibits heavy corrosion and rust on the blade tang, guard, and pommel, with visible surface degradation to the rubber handle. The sheaths show general dust and wear to the rubber retention straps. The Hiatt handcuffs show light surface scratches and minor pitting to the chrome finish. NOTICE TO BIDDERS: The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition. Photos are considered part of the condition report. Complete condition information is available by request, please request no later than 24 hours prior to the auction. All lots are offered and sold "as is", and Willow Auctions will not provide refunds based on condition. Timepiece movements, lighting and electrics have not been tested, and art has not been examined out of the frame unless otherwise stated.