BACKGROUND: The Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife came about through the need for a good fighting knife for the newly formed commando units. W. E. Fairbairn, E. A. Sykes and Robert Wilkinson Latham of the Wilkinson Sword Company, had a meeting in November of 1940 at which W. E. Fairbairn and E. A. Sykes described the knife they wanted and preliminary sketches were drawn up and the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife was created. There were three major patterns of the knife produced.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A third pattern Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife with a 6 1/2" stiletto style, machine ground blade with high central spine. The blade in fair condition retaining about 75% of its blackening with some moderate to heavy surface pitting towards the tip. The cast alloy handle, with twenty-seven concentric rings, was originally black but was over painted with a light green which has worn off the high points but can still be seen on the round brass tang nut and in the recesses between the ridges. The knife has a straight 2" wide cross-guard. The black leather scabbard has a, flat tipped, riveted on, blackened sheet steel fitting to the bottom and raised, stitched spine to reverse. Sewn to the spine are two leather tabs that were used for stitching the sheath to clothing. Riveted to the top of the scabbard is a leather tab with slashes for leg straps and the remains of the elastic retaining strap for the knife. Stamped to the leather on the front of the scabbard is "W.D". Other than the pitting to the tip of the blade and the wear to the paint on the handle the knife is in good condition while the scabbards tip has moderate oxidization and surface pitting but retains most of its blackening to the leather except where it is worn off where the handle of the knife has made contact.

GRADE ***1/4                                                         PRICE $476.00