Tennants Auctioneers
Lot 161
A Second World War Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife, First Pattern, Second Type, to PO/X101222 Sgt. R "Titch" Rickaby, P Troop, 41 Royal Marine Commando, the 16.7cm hand forged steel blade etched at the ricasso 'The F-S Fighting Knife' and maker's name 'Wilkinson Sword Co.Ltd, London', (tip chipped), with recurving nickel crossguard and diamond chequered grip, with nickel mounted leather scabbard, together with a group of six medals comprising 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence and War Medals, also photographs, sleeve insignia, cap badge, collar badges, shoulder titles and a booklet giving an outline of his active service engagements and extracts from official War Diaries describing events from 25th May 1944 to 31st August 1944, in a later display boxFootnote:- No. 41 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines was formed in 1942 primarily from the 8th RM Battalion as RM Commando 'B' . Their operations included Salerno, Orne, Walcheren, before disbanding 20th February 1946The knife has a chip to the tip of the blade and there are small surface scratches. The nickel grip has a small flaw to one side just above the crossguard and tiny dings to the pommel. The cross straps on the leather scabbard have had the ends removed along stitching lines. The leather frog of the scabbard has been restitched and there is some wear to the surface. The nickel plated chape has a number of dings and wear to the plating.
