RARE**WW2 British WD Wilkinson 2nd Pattern Fairbairn Sykes FS Fighting Knife With ‘WD Arrow 56’ Mark & United States Marine’s Privately Commissioned Etched Panel Banner To ‘N.T. Adams USMC’ & Scabbard. Sn 21857 Knives

**RARE**WW2 British WD Wilkinson 2nd Pattern Fairbairn Sykes FS Fighting Knife With ‘WD Arrow 56’ Mark & United States Marine’s Privately Commissioned Etched Panel Banner To ‘N.T. Adams USMC’ & Scabbard. Sn 21857 - 21857

2nd Pattern Fairbairn Sykes 'FS' Fighting Knives were introduced in 1941. Examples with etched blades are illustrated in Chapter 7 of. American & Canadian special forces soldiers & Officers bought FS fighting knives as private purchase weapons and when British WD examples came into their possession would have their names etched onto the blades. Examples of named, etched blades are illustrated on pages 94 - 97 of Flook’s book The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife & Other Commando Knives. This British WD Wilkinson example of the 2nd pattern FS has a knurled 2nd pattern brass hilt and oval cross guard which has a ‘WD Arrow 56’ Mark (see page 95 of Flook’s book where he describes the ‘56’ mark as being a WD mark found on FS knives and states how similarities in ‘56’ marked knives and other knives without Wilkinson logos has led many collectors to conclude that they are in fact a Wilkinson product). The knife has an undamaged 162mm blade with medial ridge. One side of the blade has a crisp etched scrolling banner with name & Regiment ‘N.T. Adams USMC’ no doubt privately commissioned by the American Marine who carried this knife. The blade has no damage and just areas of staining consistent with age. The dagger is complete with original leather scabbard with external brass chape and belt loop. It retains its 4 original sewn on leather tabs and elasticated retaining strap on the belt loop. All leather & stitching of the scabbard are intact. The price for this rare named FS knife includes UK delivery. Sn 21857

£1,275.00