How many of you collect British fighting knives?

[starm]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRITISH-ROYAL-...em220071165845

That's it!
Regards.
starm.

[britpc]

Hi Starm,
In my opinion the scabbard is WW2 as I have seen this type on original FS knives, it also looks like the blade and crossguard are ww2 but the grip looks to have been changed, probably period done, but who knows for sure
Still a nice knife.
Regards
Irv

[seebee1]

Commando Knives

Thought this may be of interest to the forum and this thread. The image shows a First Pattern FS Knife and a smaller version. Does anyone have an opinion about the small knife. Perhaps a fake, apprentice piece, agent's knife, what do you think? regards, Clive.

[seebee1]

Commando Knives

Reverse of Knives

[britpc]

Hi Clive,
Very interesting. Lovely 1st Patt Has the smaller version the FS/WS etching on?
Irv

[seebee1]

Commando Knives

The small sized FS has both the Wilkinson and FS etchings Irv, it is exactly the same, even down to the clamp marks on the pommel nut. I have two of these small sized patterns and have always wondered why they were made and for what purpose. Possibly they were made as gifts or salesman's samples. I would like to think they were agent's knives, but really do not know. In any event I recall that when I bought them over 20 years ago, how much I liked them, and still do. It was back in the day when £100 was a lot to pay for a 1st pattern! Regards, Clive.

[britpc]

Clive,
Great to have them to go with your other knives
Please let me know it you want to sell one of the two you have. It would look great with my other FS/WS marked knives

PM me if you consider it. Does the other one have the same scabbard as this one?
Regards
Irv

[seebee1]

Commando Knives

As yet Irv I have no plans to part with any of my Fighting Knives. The other small sized FS Knife is much the same but has a retaining leather tab fastener with a brass stud. I will attach an image of another FS Knife. Always controversial as they seldom turn up and those very few that have in recent years are generally condemned as copies. In the past there have been rumours that some original 1st pattern FS Knives had the two inch S-shaped cross guard removed and replaced with one that is three inches. This one may be perhaps the same, however an interesting feature is the No1 you will see above the WS etching. Another thing is that the pommel nut does not apear to be messed with, but who knows. I guess someone will. Regards, Clive.

[seebee1]

Commando Knives

Image 2

[seebee1]

Commando Knives

Image 3. Logo plus numeral 1.

[lnijherald]

Those are fantastic FS knives Clive! Thank you for showing them on this forum.

Btw, have you asked the Wilkinson firm about the mini-knives?

I'm not sure it is an apprentice knife, doesn't seem logical to learn the job a smaller version. A few years ago a knife was sold that (according to the seller) was an apprentice knife, it was a 1st pattern in all respects but without logos.


Cheers, Luc

[Brandenburger]

I'm not sure it is an apprentice knife, doesn't seem logical to learn the job a smaller version. A few years ago a knife was sold that (according to the seller) was an apprentice knife, it was a 1st pattern in all respects but without logos.

Cheers, Luc

Hi,

If you check the book "OSS Special Weapons and Equipment" (By Keith Melton; 1991; pp.16-17) in the book he describes a 'small FS knife' and notes that it was a smaller version issued to mainly OSS agents etc. as it was more easily concealed. But it does only show in this book a 1st pattern (with S grip) but I'm sure I have seen others of different types in other books. I'll be home from Uni' soon and so will be able to check more thoroughly. The 'no logos' bit would suggest possible clandestine use, and surely an apprentice would use the logos to finish it off??.

I have 'collected' (if you can call being given a bin liner and being told 'choose what you want!') a few knives over the years:

1. 'Fat Boy' FS in its scabbard.
2. ME Commando "Deaths Head" Dagger, in its scabbard.
3. Indian issue ME type knife in its scabbard.
4. SOE/Commando issue lock knife with tyre slashing blade.
5. Modern FS in scabbard.
6. Smatchet, in scabbard.
7. No.5 Jungle Bayonet (not truly a fighting knife but they were used as such).
8. Sawbacked shortened German bayonet.
9. Commemorative 'Commando' FS dagger that came from the estate of a Dieppe Vet'.
10. Folding officers/private purchase, Victorian/Great War fighting knife.

Best wishes,
T

[seebee1]

Commando Knives

Thank you Luc and Tom for your comments. A long time ago I met with John Wilkinson-Latham (Jnr) and showed him several Wilkinson Sword Knives, including the small sized ones. As I recall he was not able to advise why they were made, nor for what purpose. I believe that the records kept by the company were not available, or that they did not exist in entirety. At the time I was told that they did not have the small one in thier museum-collection, however last year, following the closure of the Wilkinson Knife manufacturing, they sold a number of Knives by auction, Bonham's I believe, and I heard that a small sized FS was included in this. The two that I own both have the Wilkinson Sword and FS logos and will attach an image of the FS one. A neat collection you have Tom from the bin liner, lucky fellow. Any further comments or observations regarding the small sized FS and the one with the three inch cross guard will be of interest. All the best, Clive.

[Brandenburger]

A neat collection you have Tom from the bin liner, lucky fellow.

Thanks, my uncle was something to do with intelligence/signals during the war and he collected some of the knives (not all of those came from the bin liner, most but not all) from people at 'work'.

While we are on the subject of markings, my 'fat boy' FS has the name "Parnell" on the cross guard, but no other marks, anyone any ideas about what it could be? i.e. maker or soldiers name, etc?

T

[Infanteer]

Guys, if this question is too general please let me know... I just acquired a post war FS knife that is apparently an issue knife. Question is, what type of markings should be on an official issue post war knife? Mine is marked Sheffield and stamped with a broad arrow.