fairbairn–sykes fighting knife, is it legit?

[rcathey]

Nazi and CSA stuff...I just assume it’s fake and move on.
I don’t have the time to learn it...and the Nazi stuff gives me the willies anyway haha.

[browningautorifle]

I couldn't properly identify Nazi stuff either...CSA I have to assume here in Canada is a non starter, even though some claim to have the "Real thing"...

[Flying10uk]

See the post...#13, determined to be repro.

I did read post 13, thank-you, Jim.

The "1940" looked out of alignment when the image was enlarged and so I assumed that it was.

Is there a reason that everyone appears to assume that this number (1940) implies a date? Could it not just be intended for identification purposes?

I wasn't aware that dates were normally placed on F/S fighting knives, of any of the 3 patterns. I could go and check the 2 dozen or so in my collection but I have better things to do and I am reasonably confident that dates were not placed on F/S knives of any of the 3 patterns.

So why would a "faker" make a good job of producing a F/S knife and then spoil it by sticking a date on it, that is incorrect for that pattern of knife, when F/S knives don't normally have a date stamped on them?

I would say that the "1940" was applied at some time after manufacture of the knife by someone other than the knife manufacturer.

[Aragorn243]

All I can figure on the 1940 is that someone learned that was when these knives were first manufactured and decided that would be the correct marking for it. I would also say based on condition, finish etc from handling it that it was done by the manufacturer at the time of manufacture. It's perfect in all aspects. equal depth, spacing, finish, evenness along with the broad arrow. That is one thing besides the date that made me question it. The broad arrow is an acceptance mark and would not have been applied by the manufacturer. So it would not be perfectly aligned or evenly applied in relation to the "date".

[Flying10uk]

You often see the "caster's" marking on the aluminium grip of these 3rd pattern knives but it is not always present and it doesn't really mean much if it's not there.

One of my 3rd pattern F/S knife examples, someone at some time, years ago, has made and fitted a "first pattern" style "S" cranked cross piece. Is it incorrect and wrong? - Yes - Am I worried about it and planning to change it? - No

[bigduke6]

I remember the influx of F/S knives when I was a kid, most then sold as replicas etc, I've viewed a lot of originals when I could, but never bothered with them I was told what to look for by a certain dealer I know well..........

Strange you mention Medals Gil, forgers are even putting scratches, dinges etc on certain medals, some very good Waterloo fakes out there......

I've said it a few times before but you only have to look at the "Charge of the Light brigade" just under 700 took part and they reckon there is approx 2000 + medal groups in circulation relating to the Charge......

I've even met one of the blokes who was knocking out re stamped or stamped (accordingly) Crimean medals. (he did time for it in the 80's)

[Flying10uk]

I was told what to look for by a certain dealer I know well..........

Why not share your knowledge with your fellow forum members, please, as that is the purpose of a "on-line forum".

I normally work on the principle of, if the item being offered is over-priced of not buying it.

[bigduke6]

The info he told me is out there on the web, but it was long ago, This was way back before mobile phones and PC's, ................ there's certain things I don't think should be shared on forums certainly pointers that could quickly turn a fake into the real deal.

[Flying10uk]

there's certain things I don't think should be shared on forums certainly pointers that could quickly turn a fake into the real deal.

I'm not sure that I agree, because if everyone knows about the "pointers" people may be less likely to buy fakes and, therefore, less people may get ripped off.

One of the "pointers" that I understood may suggest a repro/fake on a F/S fighting knife is an overly thick cross piece but this may not provide conclusive proof that the knife in question is a repro/fake. Like many things there may well be exceptions to this. Obviously there can be some debate and conjecture about what exactly is an overly thick cross piece on a F/S fighting knife.

There are firms making some lovely, quality, examples of the first pattern F/S fighting knife which are sold as reproductions.

[CINDERS]

The more info the fakers get about the originals the more and more and the better the fakes will become until not even the experts cannot tell whats what so for the average collector like myself who cannot afford to have 2-3 dozen F/S knives sitting in a drawer its vitally important that when I pulled the pin on the knife I have its an original not some $150 William Rodgers repro that from what I have seen that a personnal a friend brought are just junk.

So it would be like you save hard to buy in your opinion a nice No.4 "T" and spend quite a few thousand pounds getting one say conservatively $4500.oo GBP waltz off only to discover later on its an extremely well put together fake all because the information about all the little niceties which are on an original is broadcast to the wider community so we may benifit in knowledge but the real winners are the fakers not us.
So I reckon divulging all the look fors with various collectable militaria which allot of us here are into we leave it all in house and PM the knowledge between us and not the fakers it is always open that eventually they will get the information but hey lets hold off muddying the waters anymore than we have to to keep the fakers at bay, I'm 120% in agreance with bigduke6.
Fortunately as far as books go I'm pretty o'fare with whats what and spotting fakes (Hopefully) as for the other stuff I stick with proven items like cartridges and large caliber used shell cases.