Post WW2 3rd Pattern FS Fighting Knife with Leather Sheath by William Rodgers
Here on offer is an excellent example of a post WW2 3rd Pattern FS Fighting Knife by William Rodgers of Sheffield England.
The P3 or 3rd pattern Fairbairn Sykes FS knife was introduced in October of 1943.
As this example only has the William Rodgers makers stamp on it (no ordnance markings) and has what is known as the thinner blade, I believe it is a post WW2 example, albeit I am sure it has seen military service during its life.
A lot of soldiers would by their own “private purchased’ FS knife for use during their term in military service.
The “27 concentric ringed” hilt of this knife is clearly the 3rd pattern style, being constructed from a cast zinc alloy that has then been copper plated and then painted black. Most of the surface black finish has now worn off of this knife during its use, so the black only now shows in the deep groves of the ringed grip.
The pommel cap is made of brass and shows the flattened tang end at the very top.
The oval shaped steel finger guard carries an impressed:
WILLIAM RODGERS SHEFFIELD ENGLAND
mark to the upper surface.
The double-edged dagger blade measures 6.76” (17.4cm) in length and is the thinner type and I think originally had a black finish. Now most of that finish has gone and it has a grey finish with some slight surface pitting. You can still make out the original gross graining on the blade surfaces.
It also retains a good cutting edge to both sides but shows signs of being professionally sharpened during its service life.
It is complete with original dark brown leather sheath that has a rounded end brass chape that shows some solder finish on the seam edge and back.
This is the type where the chape is fixed by a rivet and the belt flap by two nickel solid rivets.
The front shows a couple of light scuff marks on the section that covers the blade, but there are no splits or damage to the leather. The top still has the remains of its original brown elastic retainer.
On the reverse, it still retains its two original and unused horizontal leather tabs or ‘wings’.
This is a great example of a post WW2 service used 3rd pattern knife and it comes from my private collection of FS Knifes.
It just looks and feels like it has a story to tell!
The blade measures 6.76” (17.4cm) long and the knife is 11.4” (29cm) in total length.
It weighs 285g.
Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.
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Code: 50547