Post WW2 British Hopkinson Sheffield Nowill & Sons Marked Sheffield Commemorative Royal Marines Factory Nickel Plated 1st Pattern FS Commando Fighting Knife With Etched Panels & Scabbard. Sn 22422 Knive

Post WW2 British Hopkinson Sheffield Nowill & Sons Marked Sheffield Commemorative Royal Marines Factory Nickel Plated 1st Pattern FS Commando Fighting Knife With Etched Panels & Scabbard. Sn 22422 - 22422

The Nowill familly are recorded as Sheffield cutler's since the 16th Century. The family traded under various names and Trademarks until John Nowill acquired the 'crossed keys' trademark in 1842. John Nowill retired from the business in 1847 - three years before his death on 24 October 1850 and the name of the business adopted the 'Nowill & Sons' name. Nowill & Sons made FS Commando Fighting Knives for the British War Dept. In 1947 The Sheffield cutlers F. E. & J. R. Hopkinson Ltd acquired the assets of John Nowill and Frank Mills and used their names & trademarks when making knives (see page 242 of the Sheffield Knife book By Tweedale). 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 post WW2 Hopkinson Sheffield Nowill & Sons marked 1st pattern FS knife was made to commemorate the Royal Marines Commandos. The 1st pattern hilt with correct 2” wave cross guard retains its original factory nickel finish and knurled grip. Its double edged dagger blade with medial ridge measures 177mm in length. The blade is clean undamaged. The blade has a blued and etched panel as found on original WW2 examples ‘The FS Fighting Knife’ on one side and the etched and gilt highlighted badge of the Royal marines with the Regiment’s motto in Latin ‘Per Mare, Per Terram’ (English: ‘By Sea, By Land’). The cross guard has Nowill & Sons name and Sheffield address together with Hopkinson ‘H’ within cartouche trademark and a stamped Broad Arrow mark as found on British War Department arms & equipment. It is complete with its black leather scabbard with nickel plated chape & integral belt loop with retaining strap & press stud fastener. All leather & stitching are clean & intact. The price for this attractive Royal Marines FS commemorative piece includes UK delivery. Sn 22422

£675.00