WW2 British Soldier’s Private Purchase Taylor Eye Witness Sheffield Fairbairn Sykes FS Style Fighting Knife With Double Edged Dagger Blade & Scabbard. Sn 22629 Knive

WW2 British Soldier’s Private Purchase Taylor Eye Witness Sheffield Fairbairn Sykes FS Style Fighting Knife With Double Edged Dagger Blade & Scabbard. Sn 22629 - 22629

A WW2 private purchase F.S. style fighting knife / dagger by Taylor Eye Witness of Sheffield (this business began in 1828 when John Taylor (c.1792-1854) opened a small workshop in St Philip’s Road, Brookhill. He specialised in pen, pocket, and sportsman’s knives and was granted the striking ‘Eye Witness’ trade mark in 1838. The company name and trademark was later owned by NEEDHAM, VEALL & TYZACK LTD). These knives were private purchase weapons during WW2 (see page 179 item 12.1 in 'The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife and Other Commando Knives' book by Ron Flook). The pommel and cross guard are brass. It has its original compressed leather ring grip which has just light service wear. The cross guard is brass. The sturdy FS style double edged dagger blade with medial ridge measures 171mm (288mm overall). The dagger blade has areas of staining and light pitting but there is no damage to the cutting edges. The blade is crisply signed on one side "Taylor Witness Sheffield England" together with ‘all seeing eye’ trademark The original scabbard is brown leather. It has stitched and riveted edges & has an integral belt loop with retaining strap that has a press stud fastener (the retaining strap has shrunk a little with age and does not fully wrap around the hilt of the knife for fastening). The belt loop is impressed ‘Made in England.’ All leather and stitching are clean & intact. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 22629 (FS box)

£295