WW2 Wilkinson Sword F-S Fighting Knife 1st
Pattern (sold). |
A rare 1st Pattern / S Guard Wilkinson Sword Fairbairn Sykes Fighting
Knife with British World War 2 Special Operations Executive provenance.
I bought this and one other 1st Pattern F-S Fighting knife from
the British SOE soldier they were originally issued to. Marked on
this knife's leather sheath is his first name. I would be happy
to provide a copy of an email and letter from him as provenance
to the buyer. This was the first F-S knife he was issued. 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 soldier
for months behind enemy lines, not some minty, never been anywhere
example. The other 1st Pattern I bought from him is minty and can
be found here; this other knife is the replacement he was issued
upon his return to Britain during the war where upon his original
F-S was deemed no longer fit for service due to the wear. Please
note, the gentleman who once carried this knife reports that it
was never used on anyone. In my correspondence with him, he mentions
his training with none other than Eric Anthony Sykes who, with William
Ewart Fairbairn invented / developed the Fairbairn Sykes Fighting
Knife. The 6 5/8 inch blade is still very sharp. This is an amazing
piece of history not normally seen with such active provenance.
Full sized photos available upon request. My item reference number
is 952
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