Fairbairn Sykes fighting knife - help identify

[Stalker62]

His Daughter gave it to regiment along with all his medals and service kit.

Nicely done.

 

[David T]

Could be completely wrong here but I would reckon on £1,000ish for a second pattern. My understanding was that the first and second patterns were made by Wilkinson Sword but production of the third pattern was supplied by various manufacturers. Picture of second pattern below.

 

[sh1kar]

Hi
If this is the wrong forum, apologies, please relocate.

A relative brought a Fairborn Sykes knife they found in an elderly relatives attic. Any help in identifying and valuing would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

It appears to be a second pattern, having a knurled handle and no ricasso. A second pattern would of had a blade length of 18cm however this has blade length of 17cm which is the length of a first pattern but the first pattern would of had a ricasso.

It has Fairbairn Sykes fighting knife etched on one side and Wilkinson Sword on the other on what would be the area for a ricasso.

Could this be one of the original design?

There are pictures but unable to upload, file to large apparently. Willing to send to anyone if it would be help.

It sounds like this

Fairbairn-Sykes Commando Knife by Wilkinson Sword – Michael D Long Ltd | Antique Arms & Armour

www.michaeldlong.com

S

 

[saddler]

Could be completely wrong here but I would reckon on £1,000ish for a second pattern. My understanding was that the first and second patterns were made by Wilkinson Sword but production of the third pattern was supplied by various manufacturers. Picture of second pattern below.

View attachment 235367

A few firms were involved in manufacture of the 2nd pattern versions....but W-S were the only maker of the 1st patterns.
The example in your photo has what's known as the bucket chape on the scabbard...

 

[David T]

Interesting, I didn't appreciate that. I assume that was because the first knife was an instant success, WS couldn't produce enough so they were produced under license elsewhere to meet the demand ?
Would that suggest the OP has a first pattern then ?

 

[saddler]

Interesting, I didn't appreciate that. I assume that was because the first knife was an instant success, WS couldn't produce enough so they were produced under license elsewhere to meet the demand ?
Would that suggest the OP has a first pattern then ?

Big lack of photos - but the verbal description hints at it being a 2nd pattern

Not sure why OSS is getting mentioned - American relatives maybe - as British & Commonwealth types normally went SOE route for such things - though on rare occasions the two joined forces, such as the Jedburgh Teams
One of my mates used to meet me every month, in London, we'd then go for a cup of tea at the Special Forces Club then head to the IWM for the HBSA meeting,
He'd been war-time Guards Armoured at first, then ended up in the SAS....and from there he went to MI-9 & had an interesting few weeks during the Suez thing a few years later.
Learned a lot about a lot of stuff from him, esp. things F-S knife related...

 

[Twodogs]

Thank you for all the responses, opens up a whole intriguing branch of history previously unknown to me.

The knife in question looks very much like the Nickel gripped one in sh1kar's link, thank you. The scabbard in question has its four leather tabs unlike the one in the photo.

From my research it is not a first pattern as it lacks a ricasso, which is basically a flat area at the base of the blade where it meets the hilt. It is this area that contains the etching.

Hurrah, finally managed to get photo downloaded. IT was never my strong point.

 

[bowji john]

I’d be interested if and when

 

[saddler]

Thank you for all the responses, opens up a whole intriguing branch of history previously unknown to me.

The knife in question looks very much like the Nickel gripped one in sh1kar's link, thank you. The scabbard in question has its four leather tabs unlike the one in the photo.

From my research it is not a first pattern as it lacks a ricasso, which is basically a flat area at the base of the blade where it meets the hilt. It is this area that contains the etching.

Hurrah, finally managed to get photo downloaded. IT was never my strong point.

View attachment 235388

View attachment 235389

A nice 2nd Pattern with a nickel chape
Looks to be in quite good condition too!!
As other commentators suggested it's of little value - I'll send you a Postal Order for 10-shillings if you cover shipping

Seriously though, IF you do decide to move it on I'd be very interested in buying it - and at a realistic price

 

[David T]

Big lack of photos - but the verbal description hints at it being a 2nd pattern

Not sure why OSS is getting mentioned - American relatives maybe - as British & Commonwealth types normally went SOE route for such things - though on rare occasions the two joined forces, such as the Jedburgh Teams
One of my mates used to meet me every month, in London, we'd then go for a cup of tea at the Special Forces Club then head to the IWM for the HBSA meeting,
He'd been war-time Guards Armoured at first, then ended up in the SAS....and from there he went to MI-9 & had an interesting few weeks during the Suez thing a few years later.
Learned a lot about a lot of stuff from him, esp. things F-S knife related...

Fascinating, many thanks
D

 

[Twodogs]

bowji john & saddler, noted and i'll keep in mind.

 

[8x57]

8X57 is onto the cent if OSS please contact imp war museum if thinking of selling first . Family History is worth more than £££££
good luck nice find.
Had a service user, he is sadly gone now he was an old ww2 Commando , In his book case was a German para trooper Gravity Knife I once asked him did he wish to sell spoil ? to this he turned around and said with a very sad look thats not a spoil thats a mans life it was he's life or mine ! mine won ?
to this he pointed at his Own F.S which was very worn . His Daughter gave it to regiment along with all his medals and service kit.

An old guy a gypsy who used to work for my father long ago was one of the first commandos and was issued with a Fairburn Sykes knife during his service and also a Colt .45 semi auto both of which he brought back with him. He said he would never part with his knife but he threw his pistol in the canal when he thought things were getting a bit hot in the late sixties or early seventies and he didn't fancy handing it in on an amnesty as he didn't trust them.
A real gent of a guy who was as honest as the day was long and never swore or told tall tales. You could get him to recall some of his wartime experiences if you worked hard including stories of how he had been involved with training the U.S. rangers up in Scotland and how he had immense respect for these guys many of whom had come out of the lumber camps of Oregon a Washington State. He said that most of those chaps were giants compared to the British and used to hard living so as hard as hob nails but we taught them one or two tricks.
In old age he had become a bit of a pacifist and would always say "a poor man fighting for a rich man's purse".

 

[308tikka]

If theres an SOE connection to the family, they may wish to check records with the museum.

 

[saddler]

If theres an SOE connection to the family, they may wish to check records with the museum.

IWM would not be my first choice - try the NAM
A good way to id a relative who may have been an officer is to access the Army Lists - as they'll give some personal info (enough to confirm it is them) as well as regiments and date of entry to the service
You can then add to this at the PRO in Kew

 

[308tikka]

IWM would not be my first choice - try the NAM
A good way to id a relative who may have been an officer is to access the Army Lists - as they'll give some personal info (enough to confirm it is them) as well as regiments and date of entry to the service
You can then add to this at the PRO in Kew

I meant the SOE museum.

 

[saddler]

I meant the SOE museum.

There's an SOE museum now??
Not been to London for about 15 years so out of the loop on that being a thing!