*British, WW2, 1st Pattern Fairbairn Sykes Dagger with Original Scabbard, By Wilkinson Sword Co, Very Good Condition*
Marked on the ricasso: “The F-S Fighting Knife” and on the reverse “Wilkinson Sword Co, Ltd, London”
Measures approximately: 6 ⅞ inches (16.7cm blade), 29.5cm overall.
This is a particularly fine example 1st Pattern Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife with a pronounced S cross guard and beautifully tapered blade. It is even more exceptional to find a 1st pattern F-S with its original sheath complete with wings and Newey press stud.
Production of the First Pattern knives commenced in November 1940 as a compromise between the proposed Shanghai design by William Fairbairn and Anthony Sykes and earlier daggers crafted by the Wilkinson Sword Co. Despite high demand for increased production, the blades of the First Pattern knives were individually hand-forged and hand-ground, resulting in significant variations. The square ricassos were neatly etched with the Wilkinson Sword Co. and F~S logo, while the blades were meticulously polished and sharpened. Nickel-plated steel “S” crossguards were skillfully fitted to the ricasso and tang, with shaped handles lathe-turned from brass stock, knurled, nickel-plated, and slid over the tang. All components were secured together by a nickel-plated top nut, with the remaining tang peened over to prevent loosening.
Shortly after the initial planning meeting on November 14, 1940, the first official order for F-S knives was placed by Wilkinsons. Production of the First Pattern knives remained consistent until the introduction of the Second Pattern on August 12, 1941. During the nine-month production period, it is estimated that fewer than 7,000 units of the First Pattern were manufactured, with current survival rates indicating only around 7% of them exist today. First Pattern knives are exceptionally rare compared to the Second and Third Patterns, with production numbers reaching hundreds of thousands for the latter two.
Sheath with Wings with Newey press studs: Newey Pat.201230-22.
The sheath is a crucial part of the Commando knife. It was required to be fastened to clothing, so two small leather tabs were added on each side for stitching onto garments or gear. Most of these tabs have not survived. Initially, the grip of the 1st Pattern F-S knife was secured by these tabs with Newey press studs, similar to those on a typical hunting knife sheath. However, this method was soon replaced with a more cost-effective and noiseless solution: elastic bands sewn onto each side of the sheath. This design became the standard for the 2nd Pattern. The sheath was finished with a simple chape. The leather components were cut by Wilkinson and other manufacturers and were often sewn together by the relatives of Wilkinson employees. These sheaths were sold for 4/6.
*Condition*
This is in very good condition given its age and service. There is some discolouration to the blade. The original leather sheath is in good worn condition with one noticable nick to the leather and normal creasing and scratching plus some minor dents to the chape. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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