British WW2 COMMANDO B2 MARKED 2ND PATTERN FAIRBAIRN-SYKES FIGHTING KNIFE RARE

  

The British commandos were formed to conduct daring "hit and run" raids along the coast of Occupied Europe, harassing German garrisons and installations from the North Cape in Norway to the French channel ports. A special fighting knife was developed for their needs, designed by the legendary Captain W. Fairbairn, a former Shanghai police chief with a multitude of experience and expertise in hand to hand combat. The "Fairbairn-Sykes" fighting knife, as it came to be known, was perfectly balanced, and ideal for cutting, thrusting, and slashing at close quarters.

This British WW2 COMMANDO "B2" MARKED. FAIRBAIRN-SYKES FIGHTING KNIFE is in good condition, with some sharpening to the blade edges, moderate patina to the blade, guard, and pommel "nut", some scratching and pitting at each side of the blade, some scattered darkening to the handle, and with some overall age wear evident (ALL pictured). Otherwise, the knife is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it features a 6 7/8" double edge dagger blade with a flat ground triangular section at each side of the ricasso, sports the classic knurled brass handle, and carries the familiar "B2" maker's code marked at the underside of the guard, along with the traditional "ENGLAND country of origin stamp. It boasts a thick steel guard and a ball finial pommel, and is complete with the original British WW2 Brown Leather Scabbard in good condition, missing both of the leather leg tabs, and with a space between the throat and guard when the knife is sheathed, a rectangular spot of whitish stick tag residue at the front end tip, a complete tear to the elasticized handle retention strap, and with some scattered drying, scratching, and age wear evident (ALL pictured).

Otherwise, the scabbard is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it bears the classic darkened brass reinforced end tip, and the set is a fine example of a very rare, original British WW2 COMMANDO "B2" MARKED. The item "British WW2 COMMANDO B2 MARKED 2ND PATTERN FAIRBAIRN-SYKES FIGHTING KNIFE RARE" is in sale since Friday, May 17, 2019.

This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\Great Britain\Edged Weapons". The seller is "abramsantiques" and is located in Claremont, California. This item can be shipped to United States.