1st First Pattern Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife By Wilkinson

~ 1st First Pattern Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife By Wilkinson ~

With its characteristic 'S' shaped guard, the knife bears Wilkinson's name on the ricasso. It comes with it's original scabbard.

~ Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knives ~

The Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife is a double-edged fighting knife resembling a dagger or poignard with a foil grip developed by William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes in Shanghai based on ideas which the two men had before World War II while serving on the Shanghai Municipal Police in China.

The F-S fighting knife was made famous during World War II when issued to British Commandos, the Airborne Forces, the SAS and many other units, especially for the Normandy landings in June 1944. With its acutely tapered, sharply pointed blade, the F-S fighting knife is frequently described as a stiletto, a weapon optimised for thrusting, although the F-S knife is capable of being used to inflict slash cuts upon an opponent when its cutting edges are sharpened according to specification. The Wilkinson Sword Company made the knife with minor pommel and grip design variations.

~ Condition ~

The blade has a fair degree of pitting, blackening of the metal and the very end of the tip is missing. The grip is in good order.

The scabbard has a short split to the top and to one of the straps. The metal tip bears dents.

~ Dimensions ~

The knife is 29 cm (11 inches) in length with a 16 cm (6.4  inches) blade.

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