Fairbairn Sykes???

[AFF96]

Hi guys, Tim suggusted I post my Fairbairn Sykes (?) dagger here. I don't much about them so any assitance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!
Greg

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...=1#post3749502

[lnijherald]

Greg, you seem to have a good WWII 3rd pattern FS knife. Is there a mold number underneath the pommel nut?

Luc

[AFF96]

Thank you Luc! Great news! The nut is on real tight and I'm afraid to turn it to hard. Any suggustions?
Thank you again! I love it!
Greg

[lnijherald]

LOL, I meant on the handle as seen here.

Luc

[grip3846]

Mould number

Hi,
Before you try to undo the pommell nut........STOP..... the mould number 1,2 or 3 will be below the pommell on the upper part of the handle.These denote the mould that was used to make the handle. Do not undo the nut,you may not get it back on in the original manner and spoil your dagger. Wartime pieces have a 4mm crossguard and the scabbards have the brown elastic as your does. I have not seen scabbards marked as yours does and have never seen a wax packet before. Are there any markings on the crossguard at all? initially this does look like a period dagger,which is in fine shape. Just my opinion,do not clean it,it is ok as it is,I would however remove the green verdigris from the scabbard rivots.
Regards,Ivan

[AFF96]

Here's the best I could do taking a pic, there's a 2 then FR 693. So mold #2? Are the rest is a serial number? I cannot find any other markings on it.
Thanks,
Greg

WS Pommel 010.jpg

[48RMC]

I have see this abbreviation before but were???? Does this mean F R> french resistance??? Your dagger is in marvelous condition and i've never seen before such wax wrapping paper very interesting. Thanks for showing it

If you ever want to sell it let me know

[geen]

according to Ron Flook (british and commonwealth military knives)
the FR marks on the dagger and scabbard are royal marine store marks
groet Wil

[grip3846]

F/S knife

Hi,
I have found that some 1st pattern knives were stamped on the pommell with what is believed to be some kind of stores number,perhaps for Instructors to sign out for training purposes.
I can find no reference in my literature as to why this knife is so stamped or indeed the scabbard. I have however "irons in the fire"and will update this when they are answered.
I cannot see the marking being a reference to French Resistance,a bit romantic for me,but that is only my opinion.
This is a later manufacture blade being a machine finished piece as opposed to the drop forged hand finished blades we see from the early pieces,I wonder if the marking was a ref. number for export. I am still hoping Greg will let us know how it ended up in his possession in the States.
Regards,Ivan

[lnijherald]

I have also found 3rd pattern knives marked FR 693 (early blade with triangular grinding mark), FR 693 and moldnumber 4 and scabbards marked FR 271.

Luc

[48RMC]

Hi Ivan,
Stupid me you are right it was stock nr. i believe that it was discribed in the book from Latham Wilkinson if i remember well?

[Pas de croix]

Hello
You have a Sheffield produced knife from around 1954 of the FR693-knife. Most likely from Nowill/Hopkinson. Note the pommel nut of large dome type.
The FR693 is an number from the Admiralty.

If anybody want to have an article by Ron Flook published in Knife World 1999 please send me a PM.
You will find all information about these knives and other F-S Commando knives on my website:
http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/fs/fs_knife1.htm
Best regards
Olof Janson

[3mk]

Nice knife

I have one of these and ive always wondered,Whats under the pommel nut?

Cheers Emil

[grip3846]

well

Hi Emil,
Nothing is under the pommell nut,perhaps Luc should have said "below the pommell nut",but its fun anyway.
So we have a knife that is in all respects a 3rd pattern F/S knife,handle made in Wolverhampton using one of the moulds we see in War time pieces utilising a blade made by Nowill and made for export using an Admiralty ref. number. Well the bad news is that if it is not a period piece then Greg has a nice post war piece that is not as valuable as as its older Cousins. Still a nice dagger though.
Regards,Ivan

[lnijherald]

Below... under... that's nitpicking for me as a non-native speaker.

Luc