Okay, my 2 cents......HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE!!!!!!!!!!! Any military ware (mostly Navy) is selling like hotcakes with maple syrup!!!!!!
I have monitored it for the past few years....and I have NEVER seen items NOT sale - that is unless it was listed rediculously high....but bidding always was competitive!
Nice carving set...these are not as common as knives/forks/spoons!
FYI a little info on Oneida: "1918 saw the major powers of the world at war. When the United States entered World War I, Oneida quickly swung into action by producing ammunition clips, lead-plated shells, combat knives and surgical instruments. The onset of World War II and the Korean War saw Oneida providing even more assistance to the military. Oneida manufactured silverware for the Army and Navy, surgical instruments, rifle sights, parachute releases, hand grenades, shells, survival guns, bayonets, aircraft fuel tanks, and chemical bombs. In addition, it purchased a separate factory to make jet engine parts, aircraft survival kits, and even army trucks! Oneida has a history of significant and invaluable contributions to United States defense need."
There are many companies that made items for the military as ironlord stated....was put up for bid. The shell pattern (aka Kings, Shell, etc) is the most collectible but others are collected as well.