WW2 Nickel 2nd Pattern FS Dagger '/|\56' to Crossguard. A hand forged/ ground nickel plated example. 2nd Pattern 'FS' Fighting Knives were introduced in 1941.
This is a rare example of the WW2, 2nd Pattern, Officer's fighting knife with 1st Pattern knurled nickel plated hilt and 2nd pattern oval cross guard which has WD stamp '56'. See page 95 of 'the Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife & Other Commando Knives by Ron Flook where he describes the '56' mark as being one of 2 WD marks found on nickel finish examples (the other being '60') and illustrates a '56' marked 1st pattern handle example of the Officer's Nickel finish 2nd Pattern and describes how similarities in '56' marked knives and other knives without Wilkinson logos has led many collectors to conclude that they are in fact a Wilkinson product).
(Flook, 2013: 95)
UK mainland postage included.
