RARE**WW2 British WD, W&SB (W&S Butcher), Sheffield, RAF Servicing Commando Fighting Knife With Bone Pommel & Scabbard. Sn 23581 Knive

**RARE**WW2 British WD, W&SB (W&S Butcher), Sheffield, RAF Servicing Commando Fighting Knife With Bone Pommel & Scabbard. Sn 23581 - 23581

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 brass finger guard and correct polished bone pommel secured by a screw bolt. It has a 156mm single edged drop point blade which has just light staining. The ricasso 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 tan leather scabbard with belt loop and retaining strap with press stud fastener. The leather is impressed ‘Made In Sheffield Eng’. The price for this rare knife includes UK delivery. Sn 23581

£875.00