Is this a WWII British Sheffield commando knife?

[cplnorton]

I bought this at a flea market. No sheath, just the knife. It looks old, but unissued. So I don't know if it is real or not.

It is marked Sheffield England. Here are some pics. What do you guys think?

[Rick]

Looks like one to me. Its marked in the same spot as one I owned. A friend took my knife in on a trade the turned around and gave it to me. I thought it was a reproduction and even stuck it in a tree a couple times. Then at a gun show a knife collector saw my knife and according to him it was the real thing and offered me quite a bit of money for the knife. Sold the knife and gave the money to my friend.

Anyway that was my experience. Maybe someone with more knowledge will post on this subject.

[RED]

I can't be sure from the pic, but there was over a hundred companies that made 10's of thousands of the knife back in WWII and there had to be differences espcially in the hand ground blades. With that said, IIRC all the genuine ones I've seen had a small, but noticable, triangle shaped grinding mark just in front of the handguard that I don't see here. Seems I also remember there being different models with different handle designs. I'd bet John Sukey would know for sure.

[gaetor]

It is a Fairbairn/ Sykes designed fighting knife. Google them for the history. It is pretty fascinating.

[cplnorton]

Anyone know where I can find a sheath for it?

The damn thing is sharp as hell, and I've about cut myself a dozen times already.

[RCS]

Fairbairn-Sykes

Here are some photos of mine, it is the 3rd pattern WW2 knife. It is marked ENGLAND on the guard (photo). I have had this knife a very long time and know it is not a fake.

[Rick]

Mine had two sheaths. One went on the belt and the other had straps that you could strap it to your leg. The original sheaths are a little on the fragile side. If you want the sheath to use there is a guy on eBay that makes a heavy sheath for most of the knives. Sullivan Harness Shop makes the sheaths for Randal knives in Orlando and are top notch.

I probably have a sheath that would work but its somewhere in the junk room. If I run on to it you can have it. Have been cleaning and sorting to find some white carbine bags for another member with no luck so far. So I kind of know where the sheath isn't.