FS Fighting Knives

[James Noble]

Hello Irv.
The length of the blades on both of my knives is 6 7/8 inches and the scabbards are also both 7 3/8 inches I noticed in your remarks to Rob in post # 8 you state the blade lengths should be 7 7/8 inches is that correct if so then shouldn't my scabbards be longer? As far it having a more stiletto type blade then normally found I do see it resembling the 1st pattern blade you show in post # 14 and I believe your correct about it being done at the factory as I can not see any trace of infield reshaping.

[britpc]

Hi James,

You are right it should be 6 7/8!! Not sure why I put that?? I'll go back and correct it to stop the confusion.
I remember now! Rob asked me a question, it was 0045 and I had to be up for an early turn at 0445, I think I was tied!!! I did say at the bottom of that entry that I was sorry if there were any errors.
Irv

[James Noble]

Hi Irv,
It's good to know that my blades haven't been cut down I did see you comment at the bottom of that post in regard to you being tired. I wonder how many people checked their blade lengths after reading that and how believe their blades have been altered.

[britpc]

Hi James,

Reality check!! I am human after all. Just one thing about the length of the blade on your first pattern. It will vary! They are hand ground and as such the length will be between 6 1/2 and 7 inch. My two are 6 6/8 and 6 7/8, but I have seen them longer. Don't dismiss the blade as being the wrong length just because it doesn't conform to the norm.
Irv

[John Hodgin]

Rare and handsome collection! I like the insignia you have chosen to display with them. Please discuss these also.
Regards,
John

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Outstanding collection Irv

I've never seen so many in my life

Nice to see another quality British collection on here. Keep up the good work.

Thanks from Jack

PS This is my contribution to the thread. Four classic books by Fairbairn. All in Fighting, Get Tough, Hands Off (womens self defence), and Shooting to Live with the One Hand Gun. Took me ages to get all these.

[britpc]

Hi John,
The insignia is mainly RM. I do have the odd para badges thrown in for effect, but I like the WW2 RM badges. The two cloth patches at the bottom of one of my frames with the lion like animal, is the insignia of the Chindits. These were given to me by my uncle who was in Burma in WW2. A friend of his was in the Chindits and when he died his wife gave him these patches, his medals, pay/service book and some other patches. My uncle then passed them on to me. The odd thing about these patches is that on the back of one there are a number of hooks and the other there are press studs. I asked what this was all about and was told that because it was so hot, they washed there uniform every day, and if they left the patches on, they would just wear out!
Irv

Rare and handsome collection! I like the insignia you have chosen to display with them. Please discuss these also.
Regards,
John

[britpc]

Hi Jack,
Great collection of FS books! All I have is the 'All in Fighting' which belonged to my father in-law. Inside cover still has 4Cdo writen in pencil! He was attached to them before he did his commando training in 1942. One of the other members said that he has a spare copy of 'Get tough' which he is sending to me!! What a nice guy. Can't wait to add that to my display. These books are great reading! I love the attack on someone sitting beside you, just using a box of matches
Do you have any FS knives?? You should do with a nice collection of books like that They would go well together.
Irv

Outstanding collection Irv

I've never seen so may in my life

Nice to see another quality British collection on here. Keep up the good work.

Thanks from Jack

PS This is my contribution to the thread. Four classic books by Fairbairn. All in Fighting, Get Tough, Hands Off (womens self defence), and Shooting to Live with the One Hand Gun. Took me ages to get all these.

[gregM]

I just made a deal on a silver 2nd pattern FS, I hope to take posession this
weekend. I will post it asap.

greg

[britpc]

Hi Greg,

Now out of all the FS knives, that is my favorite I look forward to seeing that one. Give me the spec on it, are there any markings?? If there are, let me take a shot in the dark Unless it's WS etched....Broard arrow 56 or broard arrow 21??????????? Knowing my luck that will be wrong
Irv

[Jack Dutton-Roberts]

Hi Jack,
Great collection of FS books! All I have is the 'All in Fighting' which belonged to my father in-law. Inside cover still has 4Cdo writen in pencil! He was attached to them before he did his commando training in 1942. One of the other members said that he has a spare copy of 'Get tough' which he is sending to me!! What a nice guy. Can't wait to add that to my display. These books are great reading! I love the attack on someone sitting beside you, just using a box of matches
Do you have any FS knives?? You should do with a nice collection of books like that They would go well together.
Irv

That sounds like one nice copy of "All in Fighting" there!

"Get Tough" is a great book and very similar to "All in Fighting" but not as well known for some reason? Either way, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Yeah the matchbox attack is a classic one - I just don't see how it can be so deadly?

Over the few years that I have collected I have had one 3rd pattern and one 2nd pattern. The 3rd pattern was marked with the number 4 and the 2nd pattern was marked with B2. The 2nd pattern was my favourite because it was mint and the blade still had all the lovely blueing on. Sadly, I was forced into doing a part ex on some badges so I don't have it any more

Did you see the 1st pattern with the 3 inch cross guard on ebay a while back? Lots of money
I still see a few and I must pick one up soon

Thanks from Jack

[britpc]

I'm really looking forward to getting that book. 1st pattern with a 3 inch crossguard I'd love to have one but it's way out of my price range! They made so few of them you have always got to be wary. I did ask the question a while ago to find out how many FS knife collectors have a WW2 3rd pattern with the WS and FS etchings??? I've only seen four and I bought one of those! Shame you had to get rid of those knives. I don't like passing on any of the knives I have. Learnt the hard way. I've had so much good stuff and sold it all. I regret it now
Irv

That sounds like one nice copy of "All in Fighting" there!

"Get Tough" is a great book and very similar to "All in Fighting" but not as well known for some reason? Either way, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Yeah the matchbox attack is a classic one - I just don't see how it can be so deadly?

Over the few years that I have collected I have had one 3rd pattern and one 2nd pattern. The 3rd pattern was marked with the number 4 and the 2nd pattern was marked with B2. The 2nd pattern was my favourite because it was mint and the blade still had all the lovely blueing on. Sadly, I was forced into doing a part ex on some badges so I don't have it any more

Did you see the 1st pattern with the 3 inch cross guard on ebay a while back? Lots of money
I still see a few and I must pick one up soon

Thanks from Jack

[John Hodgin]

Thanks Irv,

The Chindit patches must be quite scarce. As an Fj collector I really like the Airborne insignia. Please tell me about these RN, are they hand embroidered?

Regards,
John

[britpc]

The round combined operations patch is the one the army would have worn (early war 1940-1942). As you can see there was a matched pair, one on each upper sleave. The tomb stone shaped combined operations patch is the one the Royal Navy commandos/Royal Marine commandos would have worn. They are a red thread, machine embroidered onto a black/navy blue wool backing. The back has a canvas like material attached.
Yes original Chindit patches are getting very hard to find. The last time I looked they were about £100 ($170) each! That was last year! There are a number of different types. That is because they were locally made in Burma. If you found one you would have to get hands on to know for sure. Glad I got mine given to me with the history of the man who wore them.
Irv

Thanks Irv,

The Chindit patches must be quite scarce. As an Fj collector I really like the Airborne insignia. Please tell me about these RN, are they hand embroidered?

Regards,
John

[John Hodgin]

Thanks again Irv,

How rare are the WW II era Combined Ops. patches of the Army and Navy?
Regards,
John