A scarce WW2 SOE/OSS assassin's sleeve dagger and scabbard. ...

Hammer

£400

A scarce WW2 SOE/OSS assassin's sleeve dagger and scabbard. the pommel-topped perpendicular hilt with a concave triangular section blade, the original simple ridged arm sheath fitted with a securing strap for arm or leg fixing. The dagger bears no incriminating maker's marks. 18 cm overall length of the dagger alone. Note: These daggers are scarce because very few were issued to only some of the 470 active SOE agents for covert use in World War 2 and of these, so many were discarded either in the field or when the war was over. They were designed to be carried by S.O.E and OSS agents who were dropped behind enemy lines. The design is easily concealed and the triangular section blade reduces weight and adds rigidity, and it is said the resulting wound is more difficult to suture. As with most items issued to the SOE they usually did not bear any maker's stamps in case of capture by the enemy. This scabbard bears an ink inscription for the former owner and is dated 1947, presumably, the name inscribed was a civilian or it was marked after the war. A private collection These daggers are scarce because very few were issued to only some of the 470 active SOE agents for covert use in World War 2 and of these, so many were discarded either in the field or when the war over., They were designed to be carried by S.O.E and OSS agents who were dropped behind enemy lines. The design is easily concealed and the triangular section blade reduces weight and adds rigidity, and it is said the resulting wound is more difficult to suture. As with most items issued to the SOE they usually did not bear any maker's stamps in case of capture by the enemy. This scabbard bears an ink inscription for the former owner and is dated 1947, presumably, the name inscribed was a civilian or it was marked after the war. Good order, the sting lashing from the hilt is missing but the dagger and scabbard/strap are in good order.