^Lot 121 WWI Welsh trench knife

Unknown age with scabbard, Nevertheless, although this weapon was probably designed with more style than substance in mind, in order to appeal to the tastes of its purchaser, the 'Welsh knife' did look forward as well back in terms of the development of arms and armour. The 'Welsh knife' inspired the design of the Smatchet fighting knife of The Second World War by the renowned hand-to-hand combat expert and innovator, Lieutenant-Colonel William E. Fairbairn. From The John F Sukey Collection