Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife - Third Pattern.
Text and pictures by
 Olof Janson unless otherwise stated

updated 2007-02-25

1942.

Here is a typical third pattern in mint conition from late WW2 production. The knife is only stamped with ENGLAND on the crossguard.
 (from the collection of Mike Silvey)

 

 

To support the demand for faster and cheaper production a new cast grip was produced. 
It is thought to be the design of the Joseph Rodgers firm, of Sheffield. 
It had 27 concentric rings, and was cast in a non-strategic alloy.

In about September of 1942, the so-called ring grip pattern was introduced, 
and quickly became standard. 

The blade was now machine forged. 
Some little number exists from the earlier production in 1942 with hand grounded blades. 
These blades can be recognized from a small wedge on the blade close to the hand guard.

 

The small wedge of a hand grounded blade seen here close to the hand guard

 

The new type of machine forged blade without the small wedge.

 

This handle deviates from the original composition of Fairbairn and Sykes to that extent that Fairbairn clearly disliked it and called it a catastrophe, destroying the reputation of the F-S Fighting knife.

The perfect balance was lost. 
The handle was also likely to slip if it became wet from water or blood.

There are not many variations of the third Pattern, except F-S and Wilkinson logos on some. The pommel nuts vary and the number on top of the hilt vary from 1 - 4.

The hilts of Pattern 3 are all made by the same company - Wolverhampton Die Casting Ltd Wolverhampton, England. Each grip has a small number between 1 and 4 cast on the pommel. These numbers refer only to the mould used to cast the hilt.

From the end of 1942 until 1945 about 200 000 knives of this type were produced for MoD.

 

 

From left to right:

The mint P3 knife
from Mike Silvey above ;
Mechanically ground blade

 P3 knife marked 15
Mechanically ground blade

 

 P3 with Indian acceptance I and drop-forged type of blade

(Note the small wedge on the blade close to the hand guard) .

 

 

Note the diffrent pommel nuts and cast numbers on the hilts.
These numbers refer only to the mould used to cast the hilt.

 

 

Specifications for Third Pattern 
Length over all 11.456" - 11.85" 291 - 301.0 mm
Length of blade  6.732" - 7.00" 171 - 177.8 mm
Wheight 250 - 260 gram 250 - 260 gram

 

 

Commando knife for the French Legion.

French post-war Commando knife made for the Legion.

Note scabbard with clip. This knife is shorter than Pattern 3.
"LE COMMANDO - INOX"

(INOX stands for stainless -thank you Paul!)

 

 

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Forming of Commandos
The Shanghai fighting knives

 

There are three basic modells of the F-S fighting knife.

First Pattern F-S Fighting knife

Second Pattern F-S Fighting knife

and Beaded and Ringed & Roped and Ringed

Third Pattern F-S Fighting knife
Beaded & Ringed - Roped & Ringed

Steel hilt and Different hilts

Wood handles.

OSS - “Pancake Flapper” and
US Marine Raider Stiletto

Sheaths

Marks

 

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I want to give special acknowledgement to these gentlemen,
who helped me in writing this article:   

Mike Silvey in USA  Tom Parker in Canada Roy Shadbolt in USA

 

 

References:
Alan W. Locken Commando 1940 - 1945
Robert A. Burlein Allied Military Fightingknives
Ron Flook British and Commonwealth military knives.
Fredrick J. Stephens Fighting Knives
Frank Trzaska The O.S.S. Stiletto - Knife World February 1998.
Frank Trzaska The Raider Stiletto - Knife World July 1997
Kelly Yeaton The First Commando Knives.
John Nowhill & son Sheffield
Wilkinson Sword Co.  
William L. Cassidy.  
Dr. William Windrum  The earliest commando knivesAllan W. Locken – Commando 1940 - 1945.

 

 

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