3rd Pattern Fairbairn Sykes

[fredcdobbs45]

Found this at an antique store yesterday and after doing some research I went back and grabbed it for what I think was a decent price. I've always wanted one of these to go with my US ww2 era knives. I am pretty certain this is a 3rd pattern knife with a 2nd pattern sheath. The guard has the ENGLAND import stamp that must've been struck lightly as the D is missing. Handle has the "1" mold mark. No arrow stamp. The blade has lots of bluing left. The only downside of this knife is that is has been "tipped" about <1/8" and the blade was ground pretty unevenly. 

 

Are uneven grinds common?  I swear I remember seeing plenty of knives like this but all the knives I've seen online recently are perfectly centered. I'm assuming this is just a product of wartime quality control.

Thanks for looking and Merry Christmas!

[Charlie Flick]

A very nice blade.

 

In answer to your question, I would say that uneven grinds are uncommon.  While anything is possible the function of QA personnel was to detect and eliminate blades that did not meet standards.  I can't see the blade edges in your photos well enough to comment on them but it would seem to me that post-factory amateur grinding or sharpening might be the culprit.

 

HTH.

 

Regards,

Charlie