WW2 British, Inter- War / Early War / Dunkirk Period, 1905 Pattern, Clasp Knife, 1938.
Summer sale item 10% off, new price £85, NOW £70
The full range of clasp knives, colloquially known as Jack or Pen knives, that were issued to British and Commonwealth forces can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, however, those produced during the war will all have the broad arow stamp, date, and makers name or in initials. Knives with the marlin spike were generally, but not exclusively, issued to airborne, commando or naval personnel. The purpose of the spike being to work effectively with rope, line, or cords. Common features to all clasp knives were a single edged cutting blade, slot type screwdriver head with a lanyard ring at the opposite end. Except for the navel pattern knife all models had a separate blade that served as a can opener. Later war models can be identified by their flat metal slab sides and are considered to be part of the 44 Pattern issue of equipment intended for use in the Far East.
This example inter-war, early war example is one of the 1905 patterns, manufactured to the standard British pattern 6353/1905, as modified in 1913 with changed dimensions for the tin opener. The hilt of the knife has two chequered pattern sides secured by five metal rivets. The underside of the hilt has two recesses to allow storage of the blade and the tin opener. A tapered steel Marline spike is mounted on the other side of the hilt, pivoting at the opposite end to the blade and tin opener. A copper wire shackle is also secured at this end of the hilt that was used to attach the knife to a lanyard or belt clip. A fingernail indentation is located near the top of one side of the blade. The tin opener has bevelled edges tapered to a point on one side, with a steel post mounted in the middle of the other side.
A rare opportunity to acquire this much sought after item of kit for those wanting to portray the ‘old salt’ during the Battle of France and Dunkirk.
NOTE:
Only to be sold to those over 18 years of age, verification will be needed, e.g., photo of driving licence or passport, before any sale is concluded.
Code: 158
70.00 GBP