Post WW2 3rd Pattern FS Fighting Knife with a Custom made Sheath

Here on offer is a great example of a post WW2 3rd Pattern FS Fighting Knife that has seen use.

The P3 or 3rd pattern Fairbairn Sykes FS knife was introduced in October of 1943.

As this example does not have a maker’s or ordnance mark and seems to have what is known as the thinner blade.

It is possibly by William Rodgers, from other examples I have seen of this period.

I believe it is a post WW2 example, albeit it may have seen military service during its life.

Soldiers would buy their own “private purchased’ FS knifes for use during their term of 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 tapered pommel cap is made of brass and shows the flattened tang end at the very top.

The oval shaped brass finger guard shows traces of being blackened.

The double-edged dagger blade measures 6.75” (17.2cm) 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 very some slight surface pitting.

It also retains a good cutting edge to both sides but shows signs of being professionally sharpened during its life. The very tip is slightly rounded through sharpening.

I am guessing that its original sheath was damaged/broken and the owner has taken the time and effort to make a custom sheath to fit the knife.

The front has been fashioned from black suede and the back from soft black leather. They have ben stitched together using red thread and also held in place by six conical tipped plated rivets. At the bottom it has a red and gold coloured tassel.

The belt flap has some loose decorative black stitching but still has the hilt retaining strap and a working press-stud.

This is a nice example of a post WW2 3rd pattern knife that has been loved and maintained to keep it in usable condition.

It comes from my private collection of FS Knifes.

The blade measures 6.76” (17.4cm) long and the knife is 11.5” (29.2cm) in total length.

It weighs 305g.

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

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Code: 50794