Fairbairn Sykes Dagger - Any Info or Advice, Please

[herbva]

I've always admired these and just bought this one on a total whim. I figured that the price was very reasonable and it looks pretty old to me. (I know, a fool and his money are easily separated.) I used a #2 pencil to remove just the rust on the stamp under the guard, but I'm not sure that I am reading it correctly. Maybe "William Rodgers Sheffield England"? I'm itching to remove the rest of the rust, but before I do something stupid and mess it up, I would love to hear any and all opinions. I know that there were different versions of these made by different knife manufacturers, in different countries, over a long period of time, and I'd really like to know what version I've got here. There might be something stamped on the pommel, but I'm not sure. Thanks!

[jerryd6818]

Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask is here (safe link) - http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/f ... ife_p1.htm

This is my bead & ring variation. bought it from a shop downtown shortly after I became a civilian again in 1966. I believe I paid $5 or there abouts. It's hard to remember some things that happened 55 years ago. Fast forward to 6 or 7 years ago at the Antiques Road Show in Janesville, WI. My F/S was appraised at $500. Whouda thunk it. I have read in several places that the bead & ring varity is very rare and even more rare is one with the broad arrow stamp on it (like mine).

[SwedgeHead]

Might check out one of our members you will find all over the automatic board too, RoyS.
and his website: https://www.fsknife.com/

[Gunsil]

Herb, your dagger is a post war commercial one. Could be as new as 1970s, maybe newer. The military issued ones will have the broad arrow mark and no WW2 era ones had a maker name on them. It is a "third model" handle design. I'll have a couple 2nd models to show you at the show.

Jerry, your bead and ringed one is very cool. Those of WW2 era with the word "England" on them were stamped that way and shipped to America after the war as part of England's repayment for our support in the war. I've had a few issued WW2 ones but the bead and ring always eluded me, at least one I could afford. If you have the original sheath it may be worth more than the roadshow showed.

Swedge, very good resource! Also is the book by Ron Flook. I have spoken to Roy to discuss Shakespear knives, he is very well versed on many British fighting knives although Flook's book covers all British WW2 knives including folders.

[FRJ]

I think these knives are about as cool as they come.

Herb, I think they are worth having in any condition. Good catch.

Here's mine.

[herbva]

Herb, your dagger is a post war commercial one. Could be as new as 1970s, maybe newer. The military issued ones will have the broad arrow mark and no WW2 era ones had a maker name on them. It is a "third model" handle design. I'll have a couple 2nd models to show you at the show.

Jerry, your bead and ringed one is very cool. Those of WW2 era with the word "England" on them were stamped that way and shipped to America after the war as part of England's repayment for our support in the war. I've had a few issued WW2 ones but the bead and ring always eluded me, at least one I could afford. If you have the original sheath it may be worth more than the roadshow showed.

Swedge, very good resource! Also is the book by Ron Flook. I have spoken to Roy to discuss Shakespear knives, he is very well versed on many British fighting knives although Flook's book covers all British WW2 knives including folders.

Thanks Gene. I look forward to seeing them, and the other "treasures" that I'm sure you will be bringing. I hope that you are going to drag Barry along.

[herbva]

Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask is here (safe link) - http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/f ... ife_p1.htm

This is my bead & ring variation. bought it from a shop downtown shortly after I became a civilian again in 1966. I believe I paid $5 or there abouts. It's hard to remember some things that happened 55 years ago. Fast forward to 6 or 7 years ago at the Antiques Road Show in Janesville, WI. My F/S was appraised at $500. Whouda thunk it. I have read in several places that the bead & ring varity is very rare and even more rare is one with the broad arrow stamp on it (like mine).

Jerry, that bead & ring variation is a beauty! And thanks for the link, that website is full of great info! Any opinion of what I should do about the rust and crud on mine. I'm thinking of just using a #2 pencil to get off what I can and then leave it alone. Or maybe naval jelly to dissolve the rust?

[Mumbleypeg]

Herb, get after the knife with the lead pencil. You can’t hurt it with the pencil “lead”. One of those flat carpenter's pencils is what I use - gives you more graphite surface so you don’t have to re-sharpen it as often. If that doesn’t do the job you can always move on to more aggressive measures later.

Ken

[jerryd6818]

What Ken said. Treat it like you would any other knife in that condition.

[Gunsil]

Herb, your dagger is a post war commercial one. Could be as new as 1970s, maybe newer. The military issued ones will have the broad arrow mark and no WW2 era ones had a maker name on them. It is a "third model" handle design. I'll have a couple 2nd models to show you at the show.

Jerry, your bead and ringed one is very cool. Those of WW2 era with the word "England" on them were stamped that way and shipped to America after the war as part of England's repayment for our support in the war. I've had a few issued WW2 ones but the bead and ring always eluded me, at least one I could afford. If you have the original sheath it may be worth more than the roadshow showed.

Swedge, very good resource! Also is the book by Ron Flook. I have spoken to Roy to discuss Shakespear knives, he is very well versed on many British fighting knives although Flook's book covers all British WW2 knives including folders.

Thanks Gene. I look forward to seeing them, and the other "treasures" that I'm sure you will be bringing. I hope that you are going to drag Barry along.

Don't worry Herb, I'm bringing Barry and he is bringing more knives than last time. I'll try to remember to dig out my box of broken and parts knives.

[herbva]

Herb, your dagger is a post war commercial one. Could be as new as 1970s, maybe newer. The military issued ones will have the broad arrow mark and no WW2 era ones had a maker name on them. It is a "third model" handle design. I'll have a couple 2nd models to show you at the show.

Jerry, your bead and ringed one is very cool. Those of WW2 era with the word "England" on them were stamped that way and shipped to America after the war as part of England's repayment for our support in the war. I've had a few issued WW2 ones but the bead and ring always eluded me, at least one I could afford. If you have the original sheath it may be worth more than the roadshow showed.

Swedge, very good resource! Also is the book by Ron Flook. I have spoken to Roy to discuss Shakespear knives, he is very well versed on many British fighting knives although Flook's book covers all British WW2 knives including folders.

Thanks Gene. I look forward to seeing them, and the other "treasures" that I'm sure you will be bringing. I hope that you are going to drag Barry along.

Don't worry Herb, I'm bringing Barry and he is bringing more knives than last time. I'll try to remember to dig out my box of broken and parts knives.

Now you've done it Gene. I won't be able to sleep wondering what might be in that box! Seriously, please do bring it this time.

[Gunsil]

Probably not a lot of great stuff in the box Herb, but I'll try to bring it. Barry will bring more than last year and my car only has so much space. Chomping at the bit to go!!

[GSPTOPDOG]

Here are a few Fairbairn Sykes Daggers/Copies/style dagger designs etc...etc... Two are marked Sheffield, England, the other two I suppose are reproductions the leather handled one .... I am not too sure about...

I am not very familiar with the history and nuances of the Fairbairn Sykes Dagger; however, I do like them and I will pick one up if it does not break the bank

[GSPTOPDOG]

I am hoping I can find a LOT more of these Fairbairn Sykes Daggers hopefully some older ones WWII era etc... I love 'em!