*British, WW2, 1st Pattern Fairbairn Sykes Commando Dagger Fighting Knife, and Leather Sheath, made by Wilkinson*
Marked on the ricasso: “The F-S Fighting Knife” and on the reverse “Wilkinson Sword Co, Ltd, London”
Measures approximately: 6 ⅞ inches (16.8cm blade), 29.4cm overall.
This is a particularly fine example 1st Pattern Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife with a pronounced S cross guard and beautifully tapered blade.
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.
*Condition*
This is in excellent condition given its age and service. There is some discolouration and marks to the cross guard. The 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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