Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding original British WWII Supermarine Spitfire spade grip control-column assembly, clearly stamped AH8068 and now mounted on a wooden display base with a small Spitfire model attached at the front. The AH8068 grip is a well-documented Dunlop pattern associated with cannon-armed Spitfires and Seafires, incorporating the distinctive selective firing control that allowed the pilot to operate the cannon and machine guns from the control-column grip. This example retains its original brake lever and substantial portions of the original grip covering, while the firing-button assembly is incomplete and some wiring has been cut.

The control stick is stamped under the yoke:

AH8068
S11E-7

This is the earliest production model of the Spitfire spade grip to be fitted with the twin rocker cannon and machine gun-firing button. This model of grip was fitted to the Seafire along with the Spitfire Mks I B, II B, VB, VC, F.VI, VII, VIII, FIX, FXII, and FXXI. There are a few other small inspection stamps and other small markings in spots across the grip assembly.

This example is in great original condition although the leather wrapping is now a bit deteriorated with some material loss and cracking as shown. The original firing button is missing the front cover with the button itself, and now shows the inner workings of the small switch underneath the button. The original brake lever is still attached as well, with its spring now not connected to anything.

There is still some cut wiring coming out of the bottom of the grip as shown, and it is mounted onto a correctly-styled mount that is identical to where it would’ve attached on the plane. This piece was then screwed onto the wooden base.

The display measures roughly 16 ¼” tall, with the ovular base measuring 8 ½ x 11 ½”. There is a small Maisto model of the Spitfire aircraft attached to the base. We could not remove it, so it is likely permanently affixed.

The Supermarine Spitfire became one of the most recognizable British combat aircraft of WWII, but the AH8068 grip is especially associated with the development of the cannon-armed variants.

The earlier “A” wing Spitfires relied on eight Browning machine guns, while the later “B” and subsequent cannon-equipped arrangements required a more complex firing control so that the pilot could select between or combine the available armament. The large rocker-style control mounted above the spade grip became one of the characteristic cockpit features of these aircraft.

Condition overall is very good for an original wartime cockpit control, with the principal issues being deterioration and loss to the grip covering, the missing face of the firing control, the disconnected brake-lever spring, and cut wiring at the bottom of the assembly. The major casting, AH8068 marking, brake lever, and surviving firing-control mechanism all remain present.

With its AH8068 Dunlop reference, cannon-armed Spitfire configuration, original brake lever, surviving grip covering, exposed selective firing mechanism, cut aircraft wiring, and purpose-built display presentation, this is an especially evocative original cockpit component from one of the defining British fighter-aircraft families of WWII.