WWII RCAF Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife - W.O. McKinnon

Fine polished steel blade, measuring 170 mm, engraved with the initials "W.L.M." (William Locke McKinnon) in a ribbon banner on the blade, with the WILKINSON SWORD CO. LTD. LONDON maker mark on the obverse ricasso, while the reverse ricasso is marked THE F-S FIGHTING KNIFE, with a very sharp point and sharpened edges, minor pitting and scratches from regular usage. Solid metal crossguard, with crosshatched grip on handle and flat-ended pommel, minor contact marks on pommel, measuring 300 mm in length overall, in very fine condition. Housed in a supple leather scabbard, with a metal chape, plus two horizontal straps on the back and comes with two slits for belt attachment and a strap across the top, securing the handle in place, the scabbard also in very fine condition. Accompanied by his Canadian Active Service Force and Royal Canadian Air Force Service Records. Footnote: William Locke McKinnon (M106384) enlisted with Canadian Active Service Force, No. 13 District Depot in Calgary, Alberta on January 21, 1943, with the rank of Private. He did his basic training in both Camrose, Alberta and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and was discharged on November 18, 1943. The following day, November 19, 1943, he found himself with the Royal Canadian Air Force, advancing to Warrant Officer, Class Two (R. 278730) and remained on the home front. He was transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force (Reserve) General Section, Class "E" on March 20, 1946. McKinnon was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Burma Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, 1939-1945 War Medal, Air Gunner's Badge and Operational Wings for his World War II service, none of which are included here. Footnote: The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife is a double-edged fighting knife resembling a dagger or poignard with a foil grip developed by William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes in Shanghai based on concepts which the two men initiated before World War II while serving on the Shanghai Municipal Police in China. The F-S fighting knife was made famous during WWII when issued to British Commandos, including the SAS. With its acutely tapered, sharply-pointed blade, the F-S Fighting knife is frequently described as a stilletto, a weapon optimized for thrusting, although the F-S knife is capable of being used to inflict slash cuts upon an opponent when its cutting edges are sharpened according to specification. The Wilkinson Sword Company made the knife with minor pommel and grip design variations. The first batch of fifty F-S Fighting Knives were produced in January 1941 by Wilkinson Sword Ltd after Fairbairn and Sykes had travelled down to their factory from the Special Training Centre at Lochailort, Scotland in November 1940 to discuss their ideas for a fighting knife. Price: $