British India Issued F-S Knife

[sabertasche]

Hi all, I thought I would share with you all an interesting Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife that was donated to my father direct from the vet who was issued it in late 1944.

I had the honour to have lunch with the vet and ask him some details about this knife. The vet was a Royal Engineers officer seconded to the Royal Indian Egineers and stationed in Bombay. His specialty was EOD. For a 85 year old he's in great shape and I really enjoyed spending some quality time with him.

The knife in question is in beautiful condition. There are no marks on it at all. The handle appears to be either either blackened brass or bronze. The scabbard and frog remind me of the type of equipment associated with a Sam Brown belt - very well made.

As I have personally spoke with the vet re this knife I do not doubt the authenticity but I have never seen another so I was hoping for some additional information from the specialist F-S collectors out there.

1. Is this a common variation? As it was definitly issued to him, he did not buy it; I assume it is somewhat common .

2. Who made these?

3. Did only officers get these or were they issued to everyone?

Any additional info would be great.

Cheers,
'
Greg

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[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Greg, a beautiful knife and very similar to ones illustrated in several books on the F-S knife subject. All are attributed to issue in India with this scabbard arrangement.

I would not say these are common by any means.

Cheers, Ade.

[Guy]

Here Here! Absolutely magnificent knife! Officers private purchase for Middle or Far Eastern use. With great provenance too, I think you should sell it

Yours, Guy.

[sabertasche]

Thanks Guys. The knife is not for sale and I hope dad will gift it to me eventually. Mind you I have the knife in my possession so maybe Dad will forget about it . Not likely.

I have only the Locken book on Fairbairn-Sykes knives and this one is not in it. In the other texts is there any mention of numbers made and where?

Thanks again,

Greg

[Guy]

Hi Greg,

sorry not to have replied sooner but couldn't remember which book illustrated this dagger.

There are some very similar ones in Ron Flook's British and Commonwealth Military Knives. Isbn 1 58310 986 2.
Hope this helps a bit.

Yours, Guy.

[yellow]

That is a great knife the condition is excellent.

It looks as though the frog had been made from a converted officers dress sword attachment for a a Sam Brown as you said. The sheath looks to have been made from a bayonet scabbard?

I`m not sure why they decided to use leather on these knifes......my local territorials were Chnindits and they always complained about how the leather equipment dropped to bits in Burma......it was not well liked. As this is an early knife I assume this is why leather has been used for the frog?

Not so sure a shiny brass buckle would be too useful during operations. Was this blackened at some point?

Steve.

[Adam H]

A very nice knife indeed!

I was thinking the exact same thing as Steve about the scabbard. Almost certainly a cut down officer's sword (frog?). Not sure if that is the correct terminology in this instance.

I hope you end up with it sooner rather than later!

Cheers,

Adam

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Greg, in addition to the book which Guy mentioned they are also shown in Fred Stephens old book on fighting knives. I cannot recall the exact title of the book and don't have it to hand as my Dad has got it. But similar knives are shown and the Far East connection is mentioned.


Cheers, Ade.