*3rd Pattern Fairbairn Sykes Commando Dagger & Leather Sheath, Nato issued 1977, Made by Sheffield.*
This is a NATO-issued and dated British Commando knife, produced in Sheffield, England. It’s the 3rd pattern of the Fairbairn-Sykes (FS) fighting knife, featuring a concentric ring grip, a post-war unnumbered pommel, a blued steel cross guard with the stamp “NATO No 4658 88 27,” and the date “1977 SHEFFIELD ENGLAND.” The pommel nut is brass and painted black. The machine-made blade remains solid and has a wickedly pointed shape, retaining most of its original black-blue finish.
The Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife, developed by William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes in Shanghai before World War II, resembles a dagger with a foil grip. It gained fame during WWII when issued to British Commandos, the Airborne Forces, and the SAS, notably for the Normandy landings in 1944. The knife’s acutely tapered, pointed blade is often likened to a stiletto, optimized for thrusting but capable of slash cuts when sharpened as per specifications.
The current 3rd pattern adheres to specification E/1323E, established on November 30, 1949, and is assigned NATO Stock Number 465. It lacks markings and is balanced at a specific point for easy maneuverability in hand-to-hand combat, not for throwing.
This knife remains in use by British Commandos and holds iconic significance, even appearing on the Commando badge. It’s an essential tool for Commandos in modern conflicts, just as it was for their WWII predecessors. Made in Sheffield, it is the Ministry of Defence’s chosen knife for British Commandos.
*Condition*
This blade is in excellent condition and still fully parkerised. The Grip shows some signs of wear and tear particularly to the pommel. The Scabbard is all intact with some minor scuffing; the elastic is fraying. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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