Hi. I recently picked up this knife for $15 at a flea market. I had no idea what it was but I like the look of it and the seller claimed it was used in WW2. I've been informed it's a WW2 RAF commando knife and apparently they are quite rare.
Hi. I recently picked up this knife for $15 at a flea market. I had no idea what it was but I like the look of it and the seller claimed it was used in WW2. I've been informed it's a WW2 RAF commando knife and apparently they are quite rare.
I'm not so sure there was any such thing as RAF Commandos....
Any markings on it, like the broad arrow war department stamp or a date?
I'm seconding that!! RAF commandos???? RAF Regiment yes . Also it doesn't look like a military knife but I could be wrong? Cheers Terry.
Army Commandos and some Royal Marine Commandos raised during WW2, but RAF - I think not!
It looks like a boy scouts or commercial sheath knife. Similar knifes were private purchase for US troops during WWII, but without a known history this just looks like a knackered old sheath knife.
Regards,
Jerry
Whatever its just an opinion.
Hi. There are markings on both sides of the riccaso. One side has the arrow mark. The other side has makings but due to the pitting I can't make them out even under magnification. I posted it on a US militaria forum as I originally thought the knife may have been US. I was referred to this link:
http://www.wilkinsonfscollection.com/wilkinsonfscoll
It is known as a RAF SCU Commando knife. I showed to a local dealer yesterday who was also quite sure that it is as the collector on the US site stated. Thanks.
Can you show the arrow markings because without that it is just a sheath knife as I said. If arrow marked then you do have the rare variation of the sheath knife, though the condition is very poor and probably matches the price you paid for it.
The ‘SCU’ Commando knife (above) was certainly a very practical ‘combat’ knife. The design is of the typical (for that period) Sheffield hunting knife style with a standard leather belt sheath, leather washer grip with bone pommel and purposeful six-inch clip-point bowie blade. Although there are a few different versions known the example above has the typical tang marking of ‘>1943 W&SB Sheffield’ (inset). The marking of course indicates that this example was made by the Sheffield cutlery company of Wade & Butcher (as most were). The period photograph (above right) shows a RAF SCU Commando proudly wearing his issue knife. Today this is a vey rare knife with most examples not surprisingly showing hard use.
Regards,
Jerry
Whatever its just an opinion.
Greetings Popcorn
Yes, it is an RAF Servicing Commando's knife as I have discussed on the US forum. Not a common knife by any means, but the condition of yours keeps it worth about what you have invested in it. Of course there are those who claim to love "salty" been there knives that tell a story, to me that's simply code for "What I could afford." I appreciate named items or linked to veteran items as much as the next collector, but I rarely purchase "stories" I purchase the knife in question. Does a knife have to be pristine for me to be interested in it? Of course not, but if it has been well used/abused... I'd pass on it and save my money for a better conditioned specimen. That said, to each their own.
Regards,
Lance
Knock me down with a feather, you learn something new everyday. If I came across that knife with that historical background for what amounts to £8.95 I'd be proud as punch. I didn't even know there were RAF Commando's let alone specialist knives for them, well done!
Hi. Yes it is in rough shape but for me that's OK. It was an impulse buy and I am grateful to Militariaone for identifying the knife. For me these objects represent the history of the units they were issued to so the condition isn't of great concern. I have no plans on selling the knife so the actual collector value is a moot point for me. Thanks again.
Similar Threads
Bookmarks