WW2 SOE Operatives Fountain Pen Dagger.

A rare original WW2 SOE issued ' Dagger ' Fountain Pen.
The pen exterior being a standard period fountain pen in black. The lid unscrews to reveal a deadly short dagger in the lid.
The pen measure 13cm's, the pen is the correct Blackbird pen, it was manufactured by Mabie Todd in England circa 1925-1935.

Mabie Todd exported these pens, so they were ideal to be converted by SOE into daggers for SOE Agents. 

As issued by the SOE to Agents and Operatives during the war for use behind enemy lines.

A fabulous piece of WW2 SOE Spy kit.

Setting Europe Ablaze.

In June 1940, a new volunteer force - the Special Operations Executive (SOE) - was set up to wage a secret war. Its agents were mainly tasked with sabotage and subversion behind enemy lines. They had an influential supporter in Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who famously ordered them to 'set Europe ablaze!'

SOE's director of operations was Commando officer Brigadier Colin Gubbins whose interest in irregular warfare originated from his service during the Irish War of Independence (1919-21). Gubbins had also been involved in planning to establish a sabotage force to work behind the lines during any German invasion of Britain.

Gubbins’s approach to warfare included blowing up trains, bridges and factories, as well as fostering revolt and guerrilla warfare in enemy-occupied countries.

After completing a gruelling training regime, SOE agents were parachuted into occupied Europe and the Far East to work with resistance movements. Many were serving soldiers, often with Commando training, but others joined directly from civilian life.

Women also joined up. Some were enlisted in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) to disguise their secret work. These were the only women permitted a combat role during the Second World War.

You must be over 18 years of age to purchase this item and a copy of your proof of age (Passport, Driving licence etc) must be emailed to vigomilitaria@gmail.com before we can ship the item.