L42A1 1975

[desperatedan]

Now I realise who the seller is I must say I find it hard to accept that he is knowingly behind this. I don't know him well, but I do know him, & I think it is far more likely that he has been sold a pup. He has shown me several unsolicited kindnesses when we have had dealings over the past few years.....

These things can happen of course. Only last week I saw a well known specialist auctioneer sell what they had described as a "scarce MkI late model Fairburn (sic) Sykes dagger" for £2500 (£3300 inc fees). The trouble was it wasn't a "late" First pattern FS but was an early nickel plated Second pattern model worth perhaps half that figure at best. No doubt the misdescription wasn't intentional on their part but I feel sorry for the purchaser. It just shows that you should do your own research when you can and not to rely on descriptions even from the highly reputable houses.