Our October Live Arms, Armour & Militaria auction will include the collection of the late Bill Ellison. We first knew Bill when he collected WW2 German daggers & swords, which he built up to be a very fine collection until he sold the collection in full some years ago. The collecting bug never left, however, and he soon turned his collecting theme to the famous Fairbairn Sykes (F.S) Commando daggers and then to other allied nations knives from WW2. 

First designed by Willaim Fairbairn and Anthony Sykes, and produced by the Wilkinson Sword Company in 1940, the Fairbairn Sykes Commando daggers were made famous by their use in World War II. The dagger was redesigned to the third pattern in late 1943 and issued to many British military units in advance of the Normandy landings in 1944.

The collection acquired by Ellison includes some really fine examples of British commando knives, with the different variations, including 1st pattern, some 2nd patterns, Ring & Beaded types, and the later 3rd pattern examples. 

Ellison's passion for collecting did not leave him, driving him to collate one of the finest collections of American WW2 KA-Bar & USN Mk2 combat knives outside of the United States. 

During his years collecting, he also managed to acquire a number of the various patterns of knives carried by both the British S.O.E (Special Operations Executive) & the American O.S.S (Office of Strategic Services).

For those interested in these type of items, you are sure to find an exquisite addition to your own collection amongst Ellison's selection!

Look out for the catalogue for this auction set to take place 23rd October 2024.