*British, WW2, 1st Pattern Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife by Wilkinson Sword Company London, with Original Sheath with Unusual Two Tabs, Excellent Original Condition*
29.4cm overall, 17cm blade.
Marked on the ricasso: The F-S, Fighting Knife
Marked on the obverse: Wilkinson Sword, Co Ltd, London
Sheath with Newey press studs: Newey Pat.201430-22. Newey Brothers Ltd B’Ham.
This is in Excellent Original Condition 1st Pattern Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife with a gentle S cross guard and beautifully tapered blade. It is even more exceptional to find a 1st pattern F-S with its original early sheath. The sheath is particularly unusual as it has two original tabs rather than the more common four and it does not look like it ever had more.
Production of the First Pattern knives began in November 1940, merging the proposed Shanghai design by William Fairbairn and Anthony Sykes with earlier daggers from the Wilkinson Sword Co. Despite the high demand, each blade was hand-forged and hand-ground, leading to significant variations. The square ricassos were etched with the Wilkinson Sword Co. and F~S logo, and the blades were meticulously polished and sharpened. The nickel-plated steel “S” crossguards were expertly fitted to the ricasso and tang. Handles were lathe-turned from brass stock, knurled, nickel-plated, and slid over the tang, with all components secured by a nickel-plated top nut and the remaining tang peened to prevent loosening. Shortly after the planning meeting on November 14, 1940, Wilkinson placed the first official order for F-S knives. Production of the First Pattern continued until the Second Pattern was introduced on August 12, 1941. During these nine months, fewer than 7,000 First Pattern knives were made, and it is estimated that only about 7% survive today. First Pattern knives are exceptionally rare compared to the hundreds of thousands produced of the Second and Third Patterns.
Sheath with Wings with Newey press studs: Newey Pat.201430-22
The sheath is a crucial part of the Commando knife. It was required to be fastened to clothing, so small leather tabs were added on each side for stitching onto garments or gear. Most of these tabs have not survived. This sheath is particularly unusual as it has two rather than four tabs and it looks like this was always the case. 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 excellent condition given its age and service. The top knot has a few small chips. There is some very minor discolouration to the blade. The leather sheath is in good worn condition with normal creasing and scratching. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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