Fairbairn-Sykes, First Pattern Replica

[Stuart Mitchell]

The Fairbairn Sykes First Pattern was conceived by William E. Fairbairn and Eric A. Sykes, two pioneers of unconventional warfare.

On the 4th of November 1940, both Sykes and Fairbairn attended a meeting with the managing director of Wilkinson Sword Co Ltd, John Wilkinson-Latham.

Wilkinson’s engineering manager and head of Experimental Workshop, Mr Charles Rose was also in attendance.

After this meeting, a design was agreed upon and production of what we now refer to as the ‘First Pattern’ (F-S) began. Production of the First Pattern remained constant well into 1941, until the production of the Second Pattern on 12th August 1941.

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Mine gets a mirror polished and hollow ground blade of carbon steel, as was the case, with nickel plated brass fittings throughout.

Not sharp as such but pointy, as was the case.

 

[sh1kar]

The Fairbairn Sykes First Pattern was conceived by William E. Fairbairn and Eric A. Sykes, two pioneers of unconventional warfare.

On the 4th of November 1940, both Sykes and Fairbairn attended a meeting with the managing director of Wilkinson Sword Co Ltd, John Wilkinson-Latham.

Wilkinson’s engineering manager and head of Experimental Workshop, Mr Charles Rose was also in attendance.

After this meeting, a design was agreed upon and production of what we now refer to as the ‘First Pattern’ (F-S) began. Production of the First Pattern remained constant well into 1941, until the production of the Second Pattern on 12th August 1941.

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Mine gets a mirror polished and hollow ground blade of carbon steel, as was the case, with nickel plated brass fittings throughout.

Not sharp as such but pointy, as was the case.


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V nice. Great finish. I hadn’t realised the blade was so long relative to handle. Although may be camera angle

 

[Stuart Mitchell]

V nice. Great finish. I hadn’t realised the blade was so long relative to handle. Although may be camera angle

The blade is a shade under 7", the handle 5".

The nickel looks great, doesn't it.

 

[Dave_45]

That’s tremendous

There’s some utter junk FS out there , this isn’t one of them.

 

[Stuart Mitchell]

That’s tremendous

There’s some utter junk FS out there , this isn’t one of them.

There are some terrible examples, that said though, you can probably get a new Third Pattern for £30..?

I am very happy with this one, if you went back to 1941 and took one from the WS production line, this is what you would get, not as nicely finished but that wasn't a consideration back then, they were a tool of war after all.

 

[bowji john]

The last time a saw one of this quality and authenticity it had been awarded to ‘Best Recruit’ at Lympstone in the late 80s

As I would never make ‘best recruit’ in anything, I might just have to get Stuart to make me one

 

[tusker]

I love your work, what a great copy. Here is my late grandfathers . It came back in his belongings after he died in 1943.
Tusker

 

[Dave_45]

I love your work, what a great copy. Here is my late grandfathers . It came back in his belongings after he died in 1943.
Tusker

What a perfect memory to have of him.

 

[bowji john]

They have not, apparently, been standard issue for many many years

Certainly long before I went to Lympstone as a wet behind the ears RN Lt

That was about 1985 when I did ‘beat up’ and the ‘all arms’

Not so different to RLI when I was 17

 

[Alexj]

There is something fascinating about knives with a very specific job description, that does look particularly stabby!

 

[bowji john]

There is something fascinating about knives with a very specific job description, that does look particularly stabby!

Bottle opener

 

[bluesako]

when i was a kid in the 50,s, and 60,s you could buy them for 5 shillings each, at the local army navy store near us, they had tea chests full of them, 5 shillings was 25 p for you young uns, they were the good ole days i must have had about 20 of them, we was told when picking one go to the bottom of the tea chest, the ones there had blood on them

 

[Stuart Mitchell]

I love your work, what a great copy. Here is my late grandfathers . It came back in his belongings after he died in 1943.
Tusker

What an amazing keepsake and heirloom, a beautiful thing to own.

Thank you and thank you for showing that.