Brit stilletto dagger (Fairbairn-Sykes)

[ericthered]

Charles isn't around anymore, but since we had brought this topic up on the old board, here's an interesting tidbit of info on the famous Fairbairn-Sykes dagger and it's use during the war

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[Croquemort]

Capt.William E.Fairburn with his associate Capt. Eric A.Sykes designed the celebrated dagger, arguably the most famous fighting knife of the 20th C.

Fairburn had served in the RM light infantry and on discharge joined the Shanghai Municipal Police. Severely beaten up by Triads he decided to study oriental martial arts and became an expert.

Subsequently on the advent of WW2 he with Sykes was posted to the original commando school at Achnacarry reputed to be the toughest training for anyone in WW2. Here they taught unarmed combat and 'Point' pistol shooting in which Sykes was an expert. US Rangers were also trained there.

They jointly designed the daggers. The FS first pattern had a high carbon stilleto blade, knurled grip, 'coke bottle' handle and recurved quillion. Blade 7" and handle 5".

The original first pattern evolved into probably the the most infamous shape of the third pattern. This had again a high carbon stainless steel stilleto blade, concentric ringed ' coke bottle' handle and oval guard. Blade 7" and handle 4.7".

The Commando Memorial, Green Tapestry with all the WW2 Battle Honours hangs in a special chapel at Westminster Abbey. The centre of the flag has a large FS first pattern dagger in the top centre.