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Author
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Topic: FS: Gemini 7 flown scissors used by Borman
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Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3970
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 05-02-2025 02:55 PM
   
After decades of collecting aerospace memorabilia as an avid space collector, I have decided to let go or sell a few highlight prizes of mine here. I was thinking of releasing a different lot every month or so as a test trial of sorts. Hopefully there would be some interest by cS readers or subscribers, but if not, a last resort would be to submit space material to a leading space auction firm that I have known and worked with for many years. The first item, depicted below, is a very seldom seen (rare) flown Gemini program scissors that flew aboard Gemini VII (GT-7) in December 1965. The scissors were mainly used to open food pouches, for medical purposes if needed, and other cutting applications while inside the Gemini crew cabin.  The NASA-issued flight scissors, in perfect condition, were used by mission commander Frank Borman during the longest manned spaceflight of that era of both the Mercury and Gemini programs. Measuring 8.25"-long and hand-engraved on one side with NASA Part Number "P/N 20542" along with its Serial Number (S/N) of "115." The manufacturer's marks, "WECK U.S.A. STAINLESS," are engraved on the opposite side and the flown scissors are completely filled-in by spacecraft technicians on an original spacecraft parts two-sided card as seen above. The documentation card is a "NASA-MSC Systems and Component Historical Record" that includes GT-7's flight duration information of "330 hrs. 35 min." along with the shipment date of the scissors to Kennedy Space Center, its assignment to Gemini S/C 7, their installation and placement in the cabin, which astronaut usage, its return and removal for bonded storage downgraded to training. There is also a NASA photograph depicting the exact-same flight-used scissors. Flown Gemini devices and objects like this are far less common than those of Apollo and with the crew of Borman and Lovell, their first spaceflight mission together, are two of the most early famous astronauts with both having flown to the moon first. As for a value or price, feel free to make an offer. This is only the third pair of flown Gemini scissors known on the market of any kind that I am aware of. PayPal is fine, a check of any kind, or even a bank wire transfer. Shipment can be made in most cases by a buyer's preference postpaid by my firm with no other fees involved. My email address (khavekotte@cfl.rr.com) is provided if anyone would like to contact me off the website.
Thank you. |
MartinAir
Member Posts: 443
From:
Registered: Oct 2020
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posted 05-02-2025 03:50 PM
Very cool, email sent. The National Air and Space Museum has GT-7 flown scissors S/N 116, so two pairs were carried? Gemini press kits and also other Gemini related documents mentioned only one pair of scissors for the Gemini crews. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3970
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 05-02-2025 04:13 PM
In fact Martin, each Gemini astronaut had their own pair of scissors, I believe that had been stored in a leg pocket of their suit. The same for all the Apollo crews with three (3) pairs flown; one each for the LM pilots (2) and one (1) kept by the CM pilot. The others I know of for Gemini were sold in auction by Schirra on GT-6 and GT-10 (unknown astronaut). |
Axman
Member Posts: 744
From: Derbyshire UK
Registered: Mar 2023
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posted 05-03-2025 05:18 AM
I sincerely hope that somebody gives you a good offer for this. Unfortunately it won't be me as it too far removed from my space cover collection.I look forward to seeing what other stuff you have to offer. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1452
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 05-03-2025 08:11 PM
Ken is correct. The Gemini crew carried two pairs of "Weck" surgical scissors P/N 20542 on Gemini 7. The Gemini 7 Storage list shows Item "39. Surgical Scissors CSD 20542 2" on page 8 of 10. Between Ken's lists that track the post flight trail of the scissors, the McDonnell stowage list provides a further pre-flight trail and gives one of the more complete provenances of a flown artifact. The scissors are one of my favorite astronaut used objects. They can be tied directly to the eating habits of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo era. If needed or wanted just email me and I will provide a image of the stowage list page to add to the provenance. |
MartinAir
Member Posts: 443
From:
Registered: Oct 2020
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posted 05-04-2025 10:37 AM
True. Some Gemini mission reports state that two pairs of scissors were carried. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3970
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 05-04-2025 11:09 AM
Thanks guys as I have already gotten a few offers, but mostly, by private emails. I'll make a decision by late May in which way to go with a definite price, buyer, etc., but will continue to be open for other offers this month.Appreciate the further information Larry and Martin about the scissors and did anyone note on one of the written-in lines provided by the historical record card? In part, it says "Assigned to C/P on S/C 7 ... MPS C-374." Of course C/P refers to the Command Pilot of Space Craft #7, which was Frank Borman's first assigned spaceflight during Gemini. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1452
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 05-04-2025 04:26 PM
Yes, Ken read both cards. One states that the scissors flew on GT-7 for 330 hrs and 35 mins. While one states that the provenance of the scissors started with them being given to Frank Borman. Frank Borman's Apollo 8 scissors are on permanent exhibit at the EAA in Oshkosh. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3219
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 05-05-2025 04:14 PM
Ken - Would you be able to post a good image of the other side of the scissors? |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3970
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 05-05-2025 06:13 PM
Thanks to the good folks that have already posted here on cS along with a few email replies off the website. As requested by Chris here are two close-up images of both sides of the flown Borman scissors. 
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