Fairbairn Sykes FS Fighting Knife, Theatre Marked Hilt ‘Holland, Vaagso, Dieppe, CARRIED THROUGH WW2**WW2 British 2nd Pattern B2 WD Fairbairn Sykes FS Fighting K Knives

CARRIED THROUGH WW2**WW2 British 2nd Pattern B2 WD Fairbairn Sykes FS Fighting Knife, Theatre Marked Hilt ‘Holland, Vaagso, Dieppe, Sicily, Salerno’ To Royal Marine Sgt W.S. Houghton’, Scabbard, 1942 Frog By ZL&T Ltd, Original Photograph & Information - 17921

2nd Pattern Fairbairn Sykes 'FS' Fighting Knives were introduced in 1941 (see page 89-93 of The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife & Other Commando Knives By Flook. B2 WD Arrow marks are found on both WW2 2nd & 3rd pattern FS knives, see page 87 of the same book). This is an original, WW2 2nd pattern, B2, FS dagger and scabbard to a named RM Sgt carried by him throughout WW2. The hilt is brass with knurled grip and a blued steel oval cross guard. The top of the cross guard is stamped with War Dept 'B2' and WD broad arrow designation. The hilt has theatre applied marks ‘Holland, Vaagso, Dieppe, Sicily, Salerno’ most likely applied by the Sgt to commemorate each Theatre of war he fought in. It has an undamaged 172mm long double edged blued blade with medial ridge. It is complete with original scabbard with external blackened brass chape. The scabbard has been adapted in the field by removal of its original belt loop and fitting with a webbing frog for belt carry. The belt loop of the frog has a period applied metal hanging ring. The rear of the frog is ink stamped by the manufacturer ‘ZL&T Ltd’ & dated ‘1942’. The dagger comes with an original black & white photograph of the Marine when he was a corporal (image centre) & Brief Laminated Information Regarding Him & The Image. Extracts from the information states ‘Sgt Houghton was in 40/41 (RM) CDO and fought at Salerno. Photo A21238 Royal Marines who fought at Salerno 5th January 1943 Royal Marines Depot Deal Kent’. The rear of the photo has handwritten information ‘A21238 C/Sgt Fulton of Glasgow, Cpl W.S Houghton of Lincoln & M.C Allen of Norwich with a captured Fascist flag & bayonets’. The price for this excellent piece carried by a Royal marine who saw much fighting in WW2 includes UK delivery. Sn 17921

£1,975.00