OSS Stiletto - Lucky Find

[BryanJ]

I was recently in a shop that calls itself an “antique” shop, but in reality, it’s one of those places that rents booths for yard sale type items. While my wife was checking out, I was waiting by the front door, when I happened to glance inside this display case. The case top was covered in magazines, and other small items. The interior of the case was cluttered with a bunch of junk, but in the very back corner, barely visible, was this knife. The owner was standing near by and I asked, “what is that”? He came over, pulled the knife out, and explained that it was among some stuff he purchased in a local estate sale. He said he thought it was a British military knife. I was traveling at the time, I did not have my reference books available, but I thought it was a second pattern Fairbairn Sykes, or a replica, but I was not sure. I made an offer, and to my surprise, he took it. Turns out, it’s an LF&C, OSS stiletto, in a British Chindit sheath. You never know what you can find, and where.

[btrwtr]

Awesome find! It's finds like this that keep us searching.

[jerryd6818]

From your pictures, I too would have said Fairbairn Sykes. Congrats. My bead & ring was estimated at the Antiques Road Show, several years ago, at $500. I bought it in 1966 for about $5.

[cody6268]

Awesome find!

My great-great uncle was in intelligence during WWII and was said to be a founding member of the CIA. He often carried a similar knife, but being as there weren't any pictures, I was unsure of whether or not it was a V-42 or Fairbairn Sykes or OSS Stiletto. As of late, I've been leaning toward the latter. Back in the '70s, shortly after his death, his footlocker was stolen.

I would call all the local antique malls I've been in over the years closer to indoor flea markets than actual antique stores. In fact, one started as an indoor flea market in a former department store, and after it was sold, the new owner rebranded it as an "antique mall and emporium".

[Dan In MI]

That is indeed a nice find!