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

updated 2008-10-06

1942.

By this time more than 100 different companies made and/or sold the Commando knives.

 

Here is a typical 3rd Pattern in mint conition from late WW2 production.
The knife is only stamped with ENGLAND on the crossguard.

 

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.

Wilkinson Sword started the production of the 3rd Pattern 20th of October 1943. This can clearly be seen in their orders due to the different price (16s/knife compared to 17s 4d for 2nd Pattern).

 

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

 

Special thanks to  Robert Wilkinson Latham

 

The small V-shaped wedge is a clear sign of a hand grounded blade. It is seen here on the picture, close to the hand guard.

 

 

This is a 3rd Pattern Commando knife made by Wilkinson Sword Co.

 

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

 

This 3rd Pattern Commando knife most likely made by Wilkinson Sword Co.

 

 

This handle deviates from the original composition of Fairbairn and Sykes to the 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.

Wilkinson Sword delivered 163 565 knives with black finish of both 2nd and 3rd Pattern together.

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

 

Specifications for 3rd Pattern Commando Knife.
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

 

F-S knives made by Wilkinson Sword Co. From left to right:

1st Pattern; 2nd Pattern; 2nd Pattern; 3rd Pattern

 

 

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Forming of Commandos
The Shanghai fighting knives
 

There are three basic modells of the F-S fighting knife.
1st Pattern F-S Fighting knife
2nd Pattern F-S Fighting knife
2nd Pattern F-S Fighting Private Purchase knife
2nd Pattern F-S Fighting w/o Wilkinson trademark.
like B2, Fat Man, Reverse Knurling
3rd Pattern F-S Fighting knife
Beaded & Ringed - Roped & Ringed

Steel hilt and Different hilts
Wood handles.

OSS - Stiletto w.'Pancake Flapper' and
US Marine Raider Stiletto

Three Indian F-S Commando Knives

Odd knives
Sheaths
Marks
UK Commando knives; Postwar production

 

The Stalingrad Sword made by Wilkinson Sword.

 

 

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

  • Robert Wilkinson Latham,

  • Mike Silvey in USA,

  • Tom Parker in Canada,

  • Roy Shadbolt in USA.

 

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References:
Robert Wilkinson Latham His own web site
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
Michigan knives  
Dr. William Windrum  The earliest commando knivesAllan W. Locken – Commando 1940 - 1945.

 

 

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