First Special Service Force collar insignia
 

First Special Service Force officer and enlisted branch insignia. Both original and attributed.

Nice 'dob' and hard to find.

Paul

Always nice to see!!! Would be nice to see a FSSF thread with insignia, groups, and other bits.

Thanks to Paul and cw2311 for your kind comments. There are a number of other original FSSF items pictured in my albums.

I would like to see more FSSF cloth flashes, there seems to be a lot of different styles out there. Also heard rumors that there are modern repros made on period machines using period materials now.

Mike

These are the three known versions of the FSSF patch. All were acquired from veterans. The variation in the middle is the Italian-made woven type. The man who gave it to me called it a "combat patch" and said these were worn on field uniforms. They were considered lower quality than the fully embroidered "dress patches." (Sorry for the glare on the photo; the patches are behind glass in a frame.)

Beautiful stuff! FSSF is not my area of collecting but I certainly can see why it draws in many collectors. I have a few bits I may post. Hopefully, others will add a few items as well.

Cheers

Here is one of my displays with some FSSF pieces. As mentioned, not really my field but I like to have a few extra things for my overall display area.

Cheers

Nice looking display! The patch appears to be the much-sought-after Italian-made variety. Do you have provenance on the other items? Authentic "CANADA" collar discs are very hard to find, in the U.S. anyway...

Thanks, this is a mixture of items put together for display purposes. A couple pieces have "said provenance" but nothing solid I can lean on. I do have some other bits, along with a uniform group to a Canadian.

I often see the V42 knife offered for sale for prices between the $6000 - $8000 range, however I don’t think I have seen any sell?.... anyone ever paid that kind of money for one? :confused:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-WW2....H0.Xfssf.TRS1

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-CASE-V....H0.Xfssf.TRS1

Hi,

I have sold probably three or four V-42's for in excess of $8,000.

If my memory is correct I sold the finest example I have personally had for $11,500.

Cheerio,

Roy

That's incredible Roy! For that kind of money, were they attributed to a particular veteran?... I guess the ones listed on Epay I posted are a bargain!!!! Get them while they're hot! ;)

Hi,

The examples I have sold unfortunately were not attributed but were in truly exceptional condition.

In my experience as a knife writer/dealer condition is always the most significant factor in price. And with very desirable and rare knives (such as the V-42) there are only a handful of truly exceptional examples around.

I will add a photo of the sort of think I'm talking about for interest.

Cheerio,

Roy

Very nice Roy! Looks like new!!! :)