- Joined
- Aug 20, 2010
- Messages
- 165
Gentlemen,
I recently took an interest in adding a WW2 vintage Fairborn Sykes knife to my small collection. Since the Pattern One knives are quite expensive here in the states and the Pattern Three knives lack some attention to detail, I decided to focus on acquiring a Pattern Two example to add to my small collection of WW2 memorabilia. A knife within my price range became available for sale several days ago and I decided to make the purchase. The blade is tight and although it exhibits some surface pitting, the bluing is still in pretty good shape. The pommel appears untouched and the sheath is in decent shape aside from the lack of the retainer strap and back reinforcement. I understand that it may be an early P2 model because of the indication that it is hand ground. After handling it, I can understand the comments which I have read concerning the good balance of the knife. The only marks which I have been able to find are the "England" stamp and a "B2" stamp on the hilt. I was not able to locate a "Broad Arrow" stamp anywhere and I was not able to find in my research why some knives would have the "Broad arrow" while others would lack such a stamp aside from the indication in a letter from Wilkinson that the "Broad Arrow" stamp was not required on their knives because it was not considered a piece of ordnance during a certain period. Can any of the experts shed some light on this and does anyone have a idea of how many of this model of knife were produced? I was able to purchase this example for US $335.
Thank you,
Ricardo
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I recently took an interest in adding a WW2 vintage Fairborn Sykes knife to my small collection. Since the Pattern One knives are quite expensive here in the states and the Pattern Three knives lack some attention to detail, I decided to focus on acquiring a Pattern Two example to add to my small collection of WW2 memorabilia. A knife within my price range became available for sale several days ago and I decided to make the purchase. The blade is tight and although it exhibits some surface pitting, the bluing is still in pretty good shape. The pommel appears untouched and the sheath is in decent shape aside from the lack of the retainer strap and back reinforcement. I understand that it may be an early P2 model because of the indication that it is hand ground. After handling it, I can understand the comments which I have read concerning the good balance of the knife. The only marks which I have been able to find are the "England" stamp and a "B2" stamp on the hilt. I was not able to locate a "Broad Arrow" stamp anywhere and I was not able to find in my research why some knives would have the "Broad arrow" while others would lack such a stamp aside from the indication in a letter from Wilkinson that the "Broad Arrow" stamp was not required on their knives because it was not considered a piece of ordnance during a certain period. Can any of the experts shed some light on this and does anyone have a idea of how many of this model of knife were produced? I was able to purchase this example for US $335.
Thank you,
Ricardo
