Description 🔉

A lovely example of a blackened Type II Second Pattern Fairbairn-Sykes Commando Knife, dating from 1942–43. No scabbard.

History:

The Second Pattern Fairbairn-Sykes was introduced by Wilkinson Sword on 12 August 1941, replacing the original First Pattern with a somewhat simplified design better suited to wartime mass production. The principal changes included a straight rather than S-shaped crossguard, removal of the First Pattern ricasso and modifications to the brass grip.
The First Pattern had originally employed a finely machined grip turned from solid brass stock. With brass designated a strategically important material, Wilkinson moved towards cast grips, allowing greater control over the amount of brass used. A small internal void was incorporated around the palm swell, conserving material without significantly affecting the weight or balance of the knife. It is worth noting that this change may actually have begun during late First Pattern production, although it was certainly incorporated into the Second Pattern.

The blade remained hand-ground, but the First Pattern's distinctive square ricasso was eliminated and the grind continued towards the shoulder of the blade. The labour-intensive S-shaped crossguard was likewise abandoned in favour of a simple straight guard. Together these changes reduced manufacturing time while retaining the essential characteristics of the original design.

The scabbard evolved alongside the knife. The First Pattern press-stud retaining strap was replaced by the familiar elastic retaining strap, while later Type II scabbards adopted a darkened chape. The earlier rounded chape was simplified to a flat-bottomed form, although transitional examples are known using older rounded chapes which were simply blackened and used up during production.
The Second Pattern appeared in three principal finish types. Type I retained the bright polished and plated appearance of the early knives; the much scarcer Type II was blacked/blued throughout; and Type III combined a blued hilt with a polished blade.
Wilkinson documentation records the introduction of the “Black Finish” on a contract dated 6 February 1942. The resulting Type II, as represented by this example, had an all-over subdued blacked/blued finish with no bright reflective surfaces—a significant departure from the highly polished early F-S knives. Original Wilkinson etched Type II examples are regarded as particularly scarce.

Production of the Second Pattern was not confined to Wilkinson. As demand increased, the Ministry of Supply sought additional manufacturing capacity, and on 2 October 1942 Wilkinson supplied a complete set of technical drawings so that production could be undertaken by other manufacturers. This helped give rise to the considerable variety of wartime Second Pattern knives encountered today.

The Second Pattern therefore represents one of the most interesting stages in the development of the Fairbairn-Sykes: retaining the quality and distinctive character of the original fighting knife while incorporating practical economies in materials and manufacture demanded by wartime production.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the second pattern introduced?

The Second Pattern Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife was introduced in August 1941, replacing the First Pattern after its relatively short production run.

A useful chronology is:

November 1940: First Pattern introduced.
August 1941: Second Pattern introduced, initially retaining a bright blade.
September 1942: blackened/darkened Second Pattern knives begin appearing, intended to reduce reflection during night operations.
October 1942: a major British government order for approximately 38,000 knives was placed.
September 1943: Third Pattern introduced, with the distinctive ribbed cast grip.

How old is this Fairbairn-Sykes Commando Knife?

This is a Second Pattern Fairbairn-Sykes Commando Knife, a pattern introduced in 1941. However, the blackened blade finish seen on this example was introduced around September 1942 to reduce reflection and improve concealment during night operations.

The Third Pattern was introduced in September 1943, so the features of this example suggest a likely production date of late 1942 to 1943.

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