Messages posted by: Vlewis

John,

Interesting debate, from what i've read on the subject it appears that either 200 or 250 depending on the source were made at some point in 1982 on instruction from the MOD and delivered to Brize Norton for dispatch. I have also seen knives for sale allegedly being "Falklands Knives" stamped with the arrow and number 3 near the cross guard and a rather inflated asking price for a 3rd pattern.

the text below was taken from a knife forum which sounds a feasible explanation?

I hope I am allowed to raise an old chestnut from a closed thread i.e. the Falklands Commando Knife. In reading some of the old threads on this issue much was made over whether or not the Royal Marines carried it during the Falklands. Interestingly the one that is illustrated in British and Commonwealth Military Knives by Ron Flook makes no claims that they were issued to the RM. It just says that Wilkinsons received a telex order for 200 knives during the Falklands War.

In addition if you look at the timeline given in Wilkinson Lathams book on Wilkinsons and the F-S knife i.e. orderred on the 29th April 1982 delivered to Brize Norton on the 24th May 1982 it seems unlikely whoever they were intended for would have received them before the war ended on the 14th June. So whilst the knife clearly exists it was not for the Marines and probably never got issued during the actual conflict anyway.

Response

I know of several marines that carried them during the Falklands, they had them before the war and simply packed them with their other gear. As to if they were issued or not specifically for the Falklands that I can't answer for a day or two. Maybe the order of 200 was to supplement existing stores? I'll ask a couple of the older marines I know and post back here when I know more.

John, if you get more info on this I'd be interested to know. I suspect the knife was probably carried, maybe by other Regiments as well but not special issue for the campaign. As I know you're aware, there is a lot of debate over the authenticity of certain knifes especially the 1st pattern and it is quite difficult for non experts like myself to be 100% sure you're getting the genuine advertised atricle if purchasing.

Cheer Vic

Hi Mike,

PM you regarding some ideas..

Regards Vic

Hi John,

I'm wondering whether it's something as innocent as a modification to provide a retainer for the grip because the original frog elastic strap or pop retainer went missing? However, a replacement scabard would of been even simpler so I guess there's some other rationale for it?

Interesting though, haven't see one like that before.

Regards Vic

Hi Bracken,

Just to add, in support of 2 Commando the Brigade Signals had their own which included the Signals lightning flashes across the dagger. Although the photo does not show it that clearly the cloth has a very dark blue tinge to it, whether this is a fade through age or a slightly different colour I am unsure?

Regards Vic

Hi JB,

Yeah I think you're right. I did some looking around on this subject and found a photo of an alleged original that was unlike any of the versions on this thread (Appeared larger with more prominent features). However, that could be a copy as well for all I know?

Regards Vic

Here are some shots of the cap badge from my previous post.

I measured this with a set of digital vernier calipers and it's 39.5 mm, a bit shorter than what's been suggested?

Regards Vic

Hi Ted,

I don't have the measurements as it's just the photo that's available currently. If I do come into contact with the actual article I'll measure it then. Unfortunately the photos a bit blurry and there's nothing to scale it against.

Regards Vic

Andy,

Yeah nice looking knife although there appears to be a fracture in the cross guard as a result of it getting bent out of shape at some point although that adds to the well travelled mystique I guess. Much prefer the look of the 1st & 2nd pattern grip over the ringed 3rd pattern.

Regards Vic

JB, John, Paul

What's your view regards authenticity on the below item that's up for auction? I don't think the photo helps much, may go and have a first hand look as there's a 3rd pattern FS I fancy in the same catalogue.

If anyone wants the details of this particular auction please PM me.

Regards Vic

Thanks Pete,

very interesting, longer than expected section on original Commando training in Scotland and unarmed combat demo in the studio from current Royal Marines Commandos.

For those of you who missed the live broadcast it's on BBC Player from 2:44

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01hw15x/The_One_Show_17_05_2012/

Regards

John,

Your knife has a pommel matching the middle example in the photo

As you mentioned, according to reference there were 1 to 4 markings on the handle presumably from each of the 4 makers of the handle although apparently there were numerous makers of the blades and finishing on the 3rd pattern

I'm sure you've had a good look on the internet at some of the collector sites, there's a lot of info about all aspects of the knife.

Good luck

Cheers

John,

From the photos it looks like there no markings on either the grip or cross guard, can you confirm if there are any stamps? Good looking knife, very clean.

Regards

Came across this account of 6 Commando including war diaries and other information,

to view the attachments you'll need to register with their forum.

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/general/25107-6-commando-battle-steamroller-farm.html

Just got back from this auction and didn't buy the knives. They went via a postal bid (somebody on this site maybe?) and no bidders in the room. I did have a chance to inspect the knives although I'm no expert or even a novice about what to look for I'll describe anyway.

The 1st pattern was in excellent condition, very clean with no scratches or pitting except right down at the tip, just below the handguard was the "F-S Fighting Knife" markings but no Wilkinson Sword markings on the reverse. There were two stamping markings on the handle close the handguard about 3/4cm apart but I couldn't make it what characters they were. In my opinion this knife looked much newer than a 1940's issue but I could be totally wrong. The scabbard looked very old and the end protector had come away from the rest of it. There were no tabs and no obvious signs of a clip or elastic retainer at the handle end.

The smaller 2nd pattern knife was all black with no "F-S Fighting Knife" or "Wilkinson Sword" markings or any other stamped marks. The scabbard looked in much better condiition than the 1 ts pattern scabbard and an elastic handle retainer.

There waas no accompanying information about the source of the knives and no marking on both scabbards to identify any servicemen who may have owned the knives.

Regards Vic

Thanks for the heads up on that, may put a bid in. Just for clarity, after checking the link provided these items are due for auction on Saturday the 24th.