Fairbain

[King carp]

Hello:

Information

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[Flying10uk]

Sykes

[King carp]

Hello:

Hello: I got this knife as part of a trade. I think it is an original. My Question is it real or a reproduction? Also if it is real from what era would it be from? Also any idea on its value would be appreciated. Thanks in advance and stay safe, KC

[Gil Boyd]

Hi King Carp,
I am going to draw your attention to the attached article which might answer your fears:

British Commando Knife marks

The markings are unique and carefully marked and "normally" the Wilkinson Sword" stamps are central not to one side, but unless I have it in my hand I can't tell you its a fake.
It certainly looks the part and probably is. Have a read of the attachment and I am sure someone will be along who can identify anomolies for you.
Value............depending on the year, could be upwards of £1000 pounds with the sheath.
Good Luck my friend, a nice framed wall piece there either way!

[dcollector]

Hello: I got this knife as part of a trade. I think it is an original. My Question is it real or a reproduction? Also if it is real from what era would it be from? Also any idea on its value would be appreciated. Thanks in advance and stay safe, KC

Beautiful original 2nd pattern knife - scabbard is original and is a fine example -
1942/3 - $600-$800 (perhaps more if you get lucky.)

The etches were often not perfectly centered - I like everything about this one.

[Flying10uk]

The scabbard looks a bit "new" to be WW2 but I wouldn't like to say if it is or isn't a repro from the photos. Some people will say that it is genuine and others that it is a fake, difficult to say one way or the other. The markings probably are central but the angle that they were photographed make them look off centre?

[Gil Boyd]

Which was my concern. Wilkinson Sword bin stuff if its not right. Thats what they do best 110% excellance. I have my sword on the wall out of its scabbard and when I look at the fine detail on that as a comparison........my gut feeling is they would have slung the knife in that particular state.
However, war is war, and in those desperate times jobs like this producing these specialist knives in mass numbers, "may" have been deligated to other companies for a duration and the reason for the poor quality control IMHO, what thats worth!!
Shame I can't ask Roy Shadbolt ex 22 SAS who is sadly no longer with us I believe, great friend. He gave a lot of info on the knife and its makings.

[Surpmil]

The scabbard is actually more worn than some WWII examples I have had, so I would say very likely genuine. It has obviously hung on a belt for quite some time, whatever that may mean.

WSCo. seem to have given up the acid etched markings soon after the flat on the blade was eliminated; perhaps this shows why: difficulty getting the "stencil" to stay in place when bent over a steep double bevel.

By the time the corporate raiders and shell game players were done, there wasn't much left of WSCo. it seems; just a "brand" now: Wilkinson Sword - Wikipedia

The production of swords came to an end when the company's sword factory at Acton closed in September 2005.[11] Wilkinson Sword then held an auction of the tools, equipment, sword drawings, and forging and milling machinery. Robert Pooley, who had commissioned the company to produce swords, bought many of these items and formed Pooley Sword to supply the Army in place of Wilkinson Sword.[12] Other sword manufacturers, and in particular WKC in Germany, also bought items, including the roll forge. Many of the tools and machines are still in use today and classic knives such as the Fairbairn-Sykes are produced by the company.

[King carp]

Thank you for the link on the fairbain Sykes knives. It is very informative. The Wilkinson logo is indeed offset to one side on my knife. I collect U.S. WW2 knives so I know a little more about them than our British allies blades.

[Gil Boyd]

Personally, I wouldn't worry too much. You have a very nice looking balde there, and it si often the provenance given by the seller that one has to trust or take with a pinch of salt.

Sadly they are a piece that you have to have in your hand to really see whether they are the real thing. It could have been produced on a bad day during the war and you have yourself a nice piece and the reason for the offset logo.

From the attachment I gave you can you resemble your knife in ALL of the other characteristics to make you happy its the real deal at this stage?