RARE**WW2 1943 British WD, W&SB (W&S Butcher), Sheffield, RAF Servicing Commando Fighting Knife With Correct Bone Pommel & Scabbard. Sn 23754 Knive

**RARE**WW2 1943 British WD, W&SB (W&S Butcher), Sheffield, RAF Servicing Commando Fighting Knife With Correct Bone Pommel & Scabbard. Sn 23754 - 23754

These knives were an issue item to members of the RAF Servicing Commando which was formed in 1942. Primarily their work was to service aircraft on front line airfields. There were 14 separate units and saw service in North Africa, Italy, Sicily, France & The Far East (see page 231 of The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife & Other Commando Knives by Flook & pages 37 to 38 of British & Commonwealth Military Knives by the same author. In this book the author states that the knives were issued with compressed leather handles which had bone or stag horn pommels and examples with stag horn or bone hilts have been noted. In his book page 38, plate 74, a contemporary photograph of a member of The RAF Servicing Commando in action in Normandy servicing an aircraft at a front line airfield is illustrated. His knife is clearly shown worn on his belt. Our variant has excellent undamaged compressed leather rings and red spacers on the hilt. It has a small steel finger guard and correct bone pommel secured by a screw bolt. It has a 152mm drop point blade which has just light staining consistent with age. The knife is sharp with no damage to the cutting edge. The blade is marked by the maker ‘W&SB’’ (W&S Butcher), Sheffield’ ( a known maker of these knives) below WD arrow and 1943 date. The knife has its clean undamaged and correct brown leather scabbard with belt loop and retaining strap with press stud fastener. The front of the leather belt loop is impressed ‘Made In Sheffield Eng’. The rear of the scabbard has period handwriting in ink with an indistinct service number name that looks like ‘Tomlinson’ and other indistinct lettering (most likely the name of the RAF Service man who was issued with this knife). The price for this rare knife includes UK delivery. Sn 23754 (in FS box)

£895.00