Devil's Brigade

Those of you who are WW-II afficianados or edged weapons collectors may have heard of the Devil's Brigade. This was the American First Special Service Force, a force of exceptional men and weapons. Their signature weapon was the Case V-42. The V-42 is a unique dagger unlike any other issued then or since. There is no sense in me re-writing the history when you can check out the following website for more detailed information. I will be posting more photos on our website in the next few days. http://www.survivalcache.com/forums/showthread.php?100-FSSF-V42-Fighting-Knife or this one: http://www.armyhistory.org/ahf2.aspx?pgID=877&id=387&exCompID=56

web site

I have been busy again adding new material to our website on fairbairn sykes fighting knives. http://www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com/ Check out the section on third pattern knives, V-42,and commemoratives. The above selection of knives are from Wilkinson Sword Co. and were marketted through the American Historical Foundation. They are featured on our website now. Enjoy!

Very Neat Dagger

Here is an interesting little WW-II style dagger I recently bought. It fits into the category of "Theater Made" knives although it was professionally made. The blade is only 5.5 inches long but it is a lethal bit of steel.

There are absolutely no markings to let us know the nationality or the maker. Most likely it is English or possibly American. Three professional style cutlery rivets affix the handle scales. The handle has the same look to it as a kitchen knife. Could someone have ground down a larger butcher knife and added a guard from the front? I briefly had that thought but a close look with a magnifying glass showed the guard butted up against the blade from the back side. I cannot tell whether the handle scales are wood or some phenolic material. It looks a lot like the work of the mysterious John Paisley, even the size and shape of the oval nickle silver guard. But since it lacks any stampings of any kind I guess we'll never know who made it, or who carried it.

http://www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com/