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FS Commando Daggers

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WW2 British G. Wostenholm & Son, Washington Works, Sheffield, RAF Servicing Commando Fighting Knife With Bone Scales & Pommel & Scabbard. Sn 16594 - 16594
These knives were an issue item to members of the RAF Servicing Commando which was formed in 1942. Primarily their work was to service aircraft on front line airfields. There were 14 separate units and saw service in North Africa, Italy, Sicily, France & The Far East. See pages 37 to 38 of British & Commonwealth Military Knives by Flook. Flook states that the knives were issued with compressed leather handles which had bone or stag horn pommels and examples with stag horn or bone hilts have been noted. In his book page 38, plate 74, a contemporary photograph of a member of The RAF Servicing Commando in action in Normandy servicing an aircraft at a front line airfield is illustrated (reproduced in image 2). His knife is clearly shown in wear. Our variant has bone scales secured by brass pins and compressed washers at the upper and lower sections of the hilt. It has a small brass finger guard and bone pommel secured by screw bolt. It has a 150mm single edged drop point blade which has just light staining consistent with age and measures 167mm overall length. The blade is marked with partially visible ‘G. Wostenholm & Son, Washington Works, Sheffield’ together with the Company’s ‘I*XL’ trademark (In 1826 the renowned Rockingham Street & Washington Works, Sheffield Knife maker George Wostenholm was admitted as a freeman of the Cutler's Company and was granted the now world famous 'I*XL' trademark which was an old trademark originally granted to W.A. Smith in 1787. See pages 295-303 of The Sheffield Knife Book By Tweedale). The knife has its undamaged, open top brown leather scabbard with stitched rear seam and small riveted leather belt. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 16594
£395.00

**VERY RARE**FORERUNNER OF THE MODERN SURVIVAL KNIFE**Original, Colonel Baldock 1902 Patent All Steel Construction Survival ‘Knife Spear’ By James Dixon & Sons Sheffield For Walter Locke & Co London With Original Scabbard. Sn 16422 - 16422
Developed by Colonel Baldock of the Merwara Battalion of Queen Victoria's Indian Army in the 1870s and patented by him in 1902, this is the forerunner of all modern day Combat/Fighting/Survival Knives. With an inspired development Colonel Baldock introduced this all steel fearsome knife which easily converts to a spear with the attachment of any handy wood pole or branch that might be found in the field. The hilt is all Steel with a floating knurled collar that, when secured in the rear position, will lock onto any wood shaft pushed into the hollow adjustable tubular hilt by means of internal securing spikes. The locking mechanism resembles that of the old muzzle loading socket bayonet attachment. British Gunsmiths Walter Locke & Co 391 Strand, London C1892-C1920 were primarily known as the outlet for Baldock Knife Spears (see page 99 & 100 of The London Knife Book By Flook. Page 99 of the book shows an image of the Baldock Knife Spear & Scabbard). These rare knives are sometimes found with the Baldock and Walter Locke names or with a licenced manufacturer name on the blade, however it is very rare to find examples with Baldock, Walter Locke & Co and a manufacturer name all on one blade. This is an excellent original example of the Baldock Patent Knife Spear. It has the correct all steel hollow hilt with floating collar which works correctly, a small oval brass finger guard and measures 345mm overall. The 226mm spear point blade has fullers and a deep 110mm saw back section on the back edge. The blade is crisply marked ‘Baldock Knife Spear Made Expressly For Walter Locke & Co Ltd Patented’ and with the rare to find additional licenced manufacturer’s name ‘James Dixon & Sons, Sheffield, England’. The knife is complete with its original brown leather riveted and stitched scabbard.The leather has a small tooled foliate cartouche to the front. The price for this rare survival knife with scabbard includes UK delivery. Sn 16422
£1,745.00

WW2 Era British Fairbairn Sykes FS Beaded & Ribbed (9 Rows Of Beads) Commando Fighting Knife & Scabbard. Sn 21844 - 21844
The Beaded & Ribbed variant of the Fairbairn Sykes FS Fighting knife was available as a private purchase weapon but were also Military issue. Beaded & Ribbed versions have been found with 9,8,7 & 6 rows of beads (see page 127 of The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife & Other Commando Knives by Ron Flook). This WW2 era Beaded and Ribbed Pattern Fairbairn Sykes fighting knife has a brass beaded and ribbed grip with 9 rows of beads. The knife has a blued oval steel finger guard. There are no WD marks on this knife. It has a clean 173mm long steel blade with medial ridge. It is complete with original scabbard with external brass chape. As is common, the scabbard’s 4 original sewn on leather tabs have been period cut back and its original elasticated retaining strap is present but has become detached on one side. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 21844
£945.00

**RARE**FS FIGHTING KNIVES / SOE CONNECTIONS**Original 1st Edition WW2 1942 ‘All In Fighting’ Hardback Book / Manual By W.E. Fairbairn With 2008 Paperback English Translation Of The Classic German WW2 Manual ‘Silent Killing Nazi Counters To FS Techniques' - 21967:8
The author of the concise WW2 1942 guide to unarmed combat and self-defence ‘All In Fighting’ is a legend. W. E. Fairbairn (1885-1960) spent over thirty years in the tough environment of the Riot Squads of China’s Shanghai Municipal Police. In order to lower levels of Police mortality at the hands of Chinese Tongs, he studied ancient Chinese and Japanese martial arts, including Ju-jitsu, and was the first foreigner to be awarded a black belt in the discipline. He developed his own system which he called Defendu. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he was recruited by Britain’s Special Operations Executive as an Instructor in unarmed combat and expounded the deadly mysteries of attack and defence to scores of trainee agents about to be dropped into occupied Europe. His methods were approved and officially adopted throughout the British army. Fairbairn also developed weapons and defence aids such as bullet proof vests. He is best known as the co-inventor of the famous Sykes-Fairbairn knife. In this book he expounds his distilled experience of unarmed combat. Fully illustrated, it shows how to deliver deadly blows with hand, fist, knee and boot; wrist, bear- and strangle holds (and how to break them); how to throw an enemy, and how to break their backs; how to disarm a pistol-wielding attacker; and securing a prisoner. "Silent Killing" was the name given to the lethal techniques for dispatching Nazi sentries and other German troops that close-combat masters W.E. Fairbairn and E.A. Sykes taught to Allied soldiers, paratroopers and commandos during World War II. These quick, brutal techniques were so effective that the German Army Command was forced to develop counters to what they termed "English Gangster Methods." The Nazi manual was printed for German troops in occupied Norway and is not believed to have been distributed outside that country. The German manual to counter Fairbairn tactics ‘Silent Killing - Nazi Counters to Fairbairn-Sykes Techniques’ is the first English translation of the German wartime manual. It was re-produced in 2008 and contains copies of the original German text and photos, the English translation and annotations, and an extensive foreword by British combat researcher Phil Mathews, which provides valuable new information about the origins of the manual, how the Germans obtained the "secret" allied training documents and the state of close combat instruction in Germany and Britain before and during World War II. The historical value of this manual for students of World War II, Fairbairn and Sykes, and hand-to-hand combat is immeasurable. Both books are in excellent condition. The 1st edition ‘All In Fighting’ Book has its original undamaged cellophane covered paper sleeve and both books have many illustrations. All pages of both books are clean and intact. The price for these excellent manuals a must for any collector of FS Fighting knives & or SOE related items includes UK delivery. Sn 21967:8 (in FS Box)
£375.00

**STERILE**WW2 British 3rd Pattern Commando Fairbairn Sykes FS Fighting Knife & Scabbard. Sn 21967:4 - 21967:4
An original WW2 3rd Pattern Fairbairn Sykes fighting knife. The 3rd pattern knife was introduced in 1942 (see Chapter 8 of The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife & Other Commando Knives By Flook). This example has an undamaged ribbed alloy handle which retains its original blackened finish and a 173mm steel blade with medial ridge. The blade is sharp and has areas of light age related staining. The dagger is complete with correct original leather scabbard in very good condition with external blackened brass chape and belt loop. The scabbard retains its elastic retaining strap and its original 4 sewn on leather tabs. There are no maker or date marks on this FS knife, sterile fighting knives were often used by WW2 special forces to avoid connection to a particular unit or army if captured. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 21967:4
£375.00

**SOE CONNECTIONS**VERY RARE**WW2 British 1st Pattern Wilkinson FS Commando Fighting Knife With Double Etched Panels & 1st Pattern Scabbard With Correct Newey Stud Fastener Reputedly To SOE Operative Rollo Young. Sn 21967:2 - 21967:2
The 1st Pattern FS fighting knife was introduced in 1940 and produced by Wilkinson Sword (see page 63 of The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife & Other Commando Knives By Flook). Rollo Young was reputedly a Special Operations Executive (SOE) operative serving behind enemy lines during WW2. This is a very rare to find 1st pattern FS fighting knife. In 2012 Rollo sold this knife & personally informed the new owner that this was the first fighting knife he was issued & described his training with none other than Eric Anthony Sykes who, with William Ewart Fairbairn invented / developed the Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife. You can see it is an early issue and was carried in action by the fact there are no "wings" on the sheath and by the wear. The knife has been period sharpened time and time again while the soldier was behind enemy lines, to the point that a) the blade is slightly narrower and thinner than it was when new, and b) the Wilkinson Sword and F-S Fighting Knife logos are barely viable on the ricasso. But really, this is a knife that was held by a British SOE operative for months behind enemy lines, not some minty, never been anywhere example. The hilt retains its original nickel finish and knurled grip. Its double edged dagger blade with medial ridge measures 172mm in length (blade lengths of these FS knives vary as they were hand ground). The undamaged blade has staining consistent with age and service use. It is complete with original 1st Pattern leather scabbard with nickel plated brass chape & integral belt loop with retaining strap which has the correct ‘Newey’ press stud fastener. All leather & stitching are clean & intact. The leather is period punch dot impressed with the name ‘ROLLO’. The price for this very rare piece of covert warfare history worthy of further research includes UK delivery. Sn 21967:2
£2,400.00

**VERY RARE**TEN ROPED RINGS VARIANT**WW2 British Officer’s Private Purchase Ribbed & Roped Alloy Handle Fairbairn Sykes FS Commando Fighting Knife & Scabbard. Sn 21967:3 - 21967:3
A very scarce WW2 example of the alloy handled ribbed and roped Pattern Fairbairn Sykes fighting knife. For many years this pattern of Commando knife were believed to be solely private purchase weapons, however, on page 129 of Ron Flook's book 'The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife & Other Commando Knives', he describes at least 2 War Dept issued examples being seen. In the day these would have been expensive items and there are no visible WD marks, so most likely an Officer’s private purchase piece. The handle of our example has the very rare to find 10 roped rings (some have only 9) with the correct correspondingly extended pommel nut to accommodate this. It has a blued steel cross guard & an undamaged 163mm long clean blued blade with medial ridge which has been period sharpened for action. It is complete with its original scabbard with blackened brass chape & single belt loop. It retains its original elastic retaining strap which as is common perished in the centre it's original 4 sewn on leather tabs have been cut back. All leather & stitching of the scabbard are clean & intact. A very scarce FS knife. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 21967:3
£1,195.00

**UNIQUE**GIFTED TO WW2 BRITISH JAPANESE POW LEO RAWLINGS BY HIS LIBERATOR**1st Pattern Wilkinson FS Commando Fighting Knife With Double Etched Panels & Scabbard His Signed Book ‘And Dawn Came Up Like Thunder’ An Account Of POW Experience & Provenance. - 21967:1
The 1st Pattern FS fighting knife was introduced in 1940 and produced by Wilkinson Sword (see page 63 of The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife & Other Commando Knives By Flook). This is rare to find, original WW2 1st pattern, FS dagger with original 1st pattern scabbard made unique by the fact that it was given to liberated POW Leo Rawlings in Malaysia / Singapore at the end of WW2 by one of his liberators. The nickel plated grip has been period field corded over grip used in jungle warfare (the steel grip and sweaty hand palms not making a good combination). We are sure the original steel grip is in good shape under the cord over grip, but we would not suggest removing this jungle "overcoat" because it makes the knife so rare. The ricasso is marked with correct etched panels, 'Wilkinson Sword London' together with crossed swords legend & the reverse 'The FS Fighting Knife', both panels has age and war service related rubbing but are clearly visible. Its double edged dagger blade with medial ridge measures 166mm in length (blade lengths of these FS knives vary as they were hand ground). The tip is blunt having hit something sometime during service. The blade has staining consistent with age and service use. It is complete with original 1st Pattern leather scabbard with nickel plated brass chape & integral belt loop with retaining strap. The retaining band has separated, the popper now apart but complete which has the correct ‘Newey’ press stud fastener. All other leather & stitching are intact. The First Pattern is rare enough, but this is made even rarer and more desirable by cord hilt wrap & the provenance included with the knife which is an original signed hardback copy of Leo Rawlings' highly acclaimed book ‘And The Dawn Came Up Like Thunder’, an account of being a POW. Together with a letter from Buckingham Palace ordered By Queen Elizabeth II thanking him for the signed copy of his book together with another related letter dated 1972. A great piece with tremendous history. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 21967:1
£2,750.00

**CASED****RARE**C1948 2 PANEL VERSION**Wilkinson Sword, Etched Banner ‘Hand Forged By Tom Beasley The Famous Sword Smith’ Fairbairn Sykes FS Fighting Knife With Correct 2 Etched & Blued Panels Hand Drawn Blade. Sn 21967:7 - 21967:7
Tom Beasley was Wilkinson Sword's master Swordsmith. One of his outstanding creations was the blade for the sword which Britain presented to the people of the City of Stalingrad in commemoration of the City's defence against the Nazis. Tom Beasley knives are sought after. 3 panel version etchings 'Hand Forged by Tom Beasley The Famous Sword Smith Of Stalingrad Fame' and 2 panel versions without the panel referencing Stalingrad in the banner were made. The 2 panel versions the same as our example were made C1948. They are thought to be advertising & private purchase pieces for Wilkinson sword who undertook a sales drive in the early post war years (see page 182 & 183 of The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife & Other Commando Knives by Flook). This is an original hand drawn Tom Beasley FS Knife. Its 176mm long steel blade with medial ridge is clean and correctly crisply etched & blued on both sides. One side has a 2 panel banner etched 'Hand Forged by Tom Beasley The Famous Sword Smith’. The reverse is etched with decorative panels containing 'Wilkinson Sword, London' name and crossed swords legend together Royal Appointment. Also 'Commando Fighting Knife World War 1939-45'. The orange / brown hue Ivorine handle is undamaged and it has an oval blued steel cross guard. The dagger is contained in its later quality made wooden case with hinged lid all covered in black leatherette material. The case has clasp fasteners. The inside of the case is lined in cushioned black felt & cushioned white silk & is contoured to snugly fit the dagger. The price for this excellent rare piece includes UK delivery. Sn 21967:7
£1,475.00

**SCARCE**UNUSUAL**WW2 Burma Campaign British Chindit Special Forces, Fighting Knife / Machete With Barong Blade & British Military Form Leather Scabbard. Sn 21889 - 21889
The Chindits – officially in 1943 designated the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade and in 1944, the 3rd Indian Infantry Division was a British "Special Force" that served in Burma and India in 1943 and 1944 during the Burma Campaign in WW2. The barong is a thick, leaf-shaped, single-edged blade sword. It is a weapon used by Muslim Filipino ethnolinguistic groups like the Tausug, Sama-Bajau, or Yakan in the Southern Philippines. This is an original scarce & unusual Chindit combat Machete with barong blade (locally made knives saw much use in WW2 see page 117 of British & Commonwealth Military Knives by Flook). As is common with these knives there were many variants and had no manufacturer or date marks. Our example has an undamaged solid Tropical hardwood handle, curved for grip and secured to the tang by 2 rivets. It has a heavy Barong, leaf shaped blade which has just areas of staining consistent with tropical war service. The blade is 11 ¾” long, 2” broad at its widest and the spine is 5mm thick. There is just one small chip to the cutting edge consistent with service use. The blade is sharp. The hilt has a brass ferrule. The original British military grade leather scabbard has quality stitched edges and has a single belt loop to the rear of the scabbard. The scabbard has a leather retaining strap with buckle fastener. The leather is neatly cut for a length of 2 ¼” near the throat consistent with the blade being holstered and withdrawn from the scabbard during war service, the cut is stable and may have been made purposely by the Chindit who carried it to allow the machete to be drawn quickly. The leather is clean and supple and all stitching intact. The price for this rare, unusual form Chindit machete includes UK delivery. Sn 21889 (in FS box) **NB This item was found together with stock number Sn 21890 WW2 Chindit Fighting Knife which is available separately on this website**.
£495.00
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