Fairbairn Sykes fighting knife - help identify

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Twodogs

Well-Known Member
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.
 
Possibly but there were lots of options. A good indicator is a sflat spot where the blade meets the grip but the lack of reccasso is not standard. Yhrr we e ere lots of options, bear in mind that anyone could purchase what they liked. Some original first patterns were re-issued in the gulf war
 
Twodogs said:
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.
Click to expand...
Yes - it sounds very much like a genuine W-S made 2nd pattern.
During the war you could walk into their sales room and buy them direct...you could even have them engraved with your name or other info

Depending on condition, easily getting up to 3 figures in value - I see mass produced wartime vintage 3rd patterns selling for over £500 and above
 
saddler said:
THAT was not the informative post....
Was "no great value" similarly valid input??
Click to expand...
It is all relative.

I did not seek to offend anyone -merely to state that it would be "worth" more to those that had a link or connection to the knife.

However, you Troll on.
 
have a look on GUNSTAR.CO.UK there are usually quite a few for sale on there so it will give you some idea what it might be worth.
 
Twodogs said:
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.
Click to expand...
This might be some help. You can try contact the site owner. He seems to collect them so should know current value. The history is interesting too.
I seem to recall reading that they stopped Wilkinson Sword putting their name on the blades. So that might affect value or simply get you a better timeframe for production.
www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com

The Stories

The Stories
www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com
 
Twodogs said:
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.
Click to expand...
I am wondering with the shorter blade and no ricasso could it be an OSS version of the knife?
 
Thank you Sonicdmb73 and 8x57.

Some really interesting stories in the article. An OSS version would certainly add interest and value.
 
Twodogs said:
Thank you Sonicdmb73 and 8x57.

Some really interesting stories in the article. An OSS version would certainly add interest and value.
Click to expand...
Certainly some interesting reading.
A fascinating history the development of the FB fighting knife.
 
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.
 
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