MINT**Cased, Limited Edition Blade 406 Of 500, WW2 Commemorative Wilkinson Sword Fairbairn Sykes 3rd Pattern FS Fighting Knife \'United We Conquer 1940-1945\' With Etched Blade & Factory Commissioned Durham Light Infantry Regiment Badge. Sn 21321 Knives

**MINT**Cased, Limited Edition Blade 406 Of 500, WW2 Commemorative Wilkinson Sword Fairbairn Sykes 3rd Pattern FS Fighting Knife 'United We Conquer 1940-1945' With Etched Blade & Factory Commissioned Durham Light Infantry Regiment Badge. Sn 21321 - 21321

The British Commandos were formed in the early stages of the Second World War, in June 1940, following a request from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, for a force that could carry out raids against German-occupied Europe. Initially drawn from within the British Army from soldiers who volunteered for the Special Service Brigade, the Commandos' ranks would eventually be filled by members of all branches of the United Kingdom's armed forces and a number of foreign volunteers from German-occupied countries. Reaching a war time strength of over 30 individual units and four assault brigades, the Commandos served in all theatres of war from the Arctic Circle to Europe and from the Mediterranean and Middle East Theatre to South-East Asia. Their operations ranged from small groups of men landing from the sea or by parachute to a brigade of assault troops spearheading the Allied invasions of Europe and Asia. All Commandos were issued with the iconic FS Fighting knife. This attractive full size (11 1/2" overall) 3rd pattern FS Commando dagger was produced post WW2 by Wilkinson Sword in a Limited Edition of 500 blades to Commemorate the British Commandos WW2 Service 1940-1945 (see page 97 items 482 & 483 of Fighting Knives by Stephens). The knife is in near mint condition. It has a 180mm long nickel plated blade etched on both sides in gilt, one side ‘1940-1945’ the reverse ‘United We Conquer’. The ricasso of one side is etched with the Wilkinson Sword manufacturer's panel & QEII Royal Appointment. The reverse has blade number ‘W (Wilkinson) 309 (blade number of 500)’ there is also a factory etched Regimental badge of the Durham Light Infantry gilt etched on the blade no doubt commissioned by the original owner at time of purchase from Wilkinson (the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) was an Infantry Regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1968). The cross guard is nickel plated. The ribbed handle is brass with gilt finish. The dagger is contained in its original ‘Wilkinson Sword Fairbairn Sykes London’ marked quality leatherette wrapped wooden case. The case has a hinged lid and clasp fasteners. The inside of the case is lined with felt and cushioned silk which has a Wilkinson sword label. It is contoured to snugly fit the dagger. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 21321

£575.00