Letter Opener with Handle Made from 8 MM Rifle Cartridge and Crown Applique

This brass letter opener handle is made from a French 8 mm Lebel rifle cartridge.  There is a small crown applique on the rifle shell handle.  The blade is soldered to the handle and has a deep curve with an ornamental cut-out in the center with the inscription, “Sir de St. Mihiel.”  The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was the first and only offensive carried out solely by the United States.  The objective of the attack was to break through the German lines and capture the French city of Metz.  The battle considered an Allied victory, took place September 12 through September 15, 1918.