Very Scarce WW2 2nd Pattern ‘T’ MoS Inspection Marked FS Fighting Knife & ‘T’ MoS Stamped Leather Sheath

Here on offer is a very scarce example of a WW2 British 2nd Pattern “T” MoS inspection marked (Fairbairn Sykes) FS Fighting Knife with its original leather sheath.

According to the well-known FS specialist, Roy Shadbolt, only a few examples of an FS knife with these markings have ever been observed. In fact he states he has only seen around eight examples during the many years of his specialist study of the FS knife.

Please see his web site (fsknife.com) and consider supporting him as a patreon.

Although the knife has no makers mark, both the knife and the scabbard appear to be identical to the Wilkinson Sword produced knives.

The markings on the ferrule area and the top of the scabbard belt flap are the Broad Arrow ownership marks that point towards a seriffed capital “T”.

There has been an on going debate as to whether this MoS mark is a T or actually an L.

This knife, well actually the scabbard, in my opinion puts that argument to rest. Although the mark on the curved section of the ferrule could be mistaken as an L, with part of the top of the “T” missing as often happens when the stamp is applied to a “curve”.

This rare example is the only one I know of (and maybe the only one in existence?) that also has the MoS “T” and the Broad Arrow clearly stamped into the leather of the top of the belt flap of the sheath. (Please see my photos)


The knife itself has a darkened/blackened brass 2nd pattern hilt, with a knurled grip. Interestingly it has what looks like long clamp marks running the full length of the sides of the knurled section of the grip. I have not seen this before. Also the way the knurling has been applied doesn’t finish as neatly to the top and bottom edges of the tapering to the grip. It doses show some loss of the darkening finish to the knurled section of the grip, as seen on examples that have seen combat use.

One this knife the tang actually extends through the tang nut and the nut still shows the signs of the clamp that was used to tighten it up when it was assembled.

The oval shaped blackened steel cross guard still retains nearly all of its blackening finish. No markings are present on either surface.


It has an excellent double-edged blackened steel blade with medial ridge. It retains about 80% of the blackening to the blade with some wear loss near the top on both sides. The edges are sharp and show very light evidence of sharpening for combat use.


It is has the correct 2nd Pattern dark brown sheath with external blackened brass chape.


The chape is correctly held in place by a large metal staple on the reverse.


The leather on the sheath is in excellent condition with very minor usage marks to the finish and a slit split to the top edge.

At the top it has lost its original elastic retainer and just the stitched edges remain attached to the belt flap.

The exceptionally rare and possibly unique detail on this scabbard is the presence of the MoS “T” mark and the Broad Arrow mark, stamped to the front of the top belt flap.

On the reverse, it still retains its one of the two original and horizontal leather tabs or ‘wings’.

This knife is just such a rare example of a genuine WW2 period 2nd Pattern “T” marked knife.

It comes from my private collection of FS Knifes and to be honest I am reluctant to sell it and it is not cheap, but am restoring a house and needs must.

The blade measures 6.74” (17cm) long and the knife is 11.74” (29.7cm) in total length.

It weighs 260g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 50478