Canadian issued Fairbairn Sykes fighting knife

I've been wanting one of these for quite some time and expected to pick up a common type III at some point. So, when I saw this type II come up for auction and noticed that it had the C broad arrow etched into the blade I knew that I had found the knife that I had been waiting for. What's also nice is that the knife has not been import marked with "England" like most of the knives available in the USA have. The scabbard is import marked so it was married up with the knife at some point by a previous owner. I know that a certain number of these knives were acquired by the military for official issue to selected troops such as paratroopers but beyond that I'm not certain how common the issue was. These knives were also available for private purchase and I know that some combat troops bought their own but of course those wouldn't have been marked with the C broad arrow. Does anyone have any more info on the official issue of FS knives to Canadian troops?

That is an awesome knife and I really envy you for having it. Canadian marked ones are quite rare from what I understand and most often are electric pencilled with the C/Broad Arrow, although some are die struck.

I don't know much about them as far was issue goes. I would suspect mostly 1 Can Para, but who knows? I met an Saskatoon Light Infantry vet years ago who had one issued for the Spitzbergen Raid, but couldn't say if it was Canadian issue marked.

Certainly a great knife!

That is a fantastic looking knife Steve! Love the condition.

Gramps told me he was never issued a good fixed blade knife...just a clasp knife. Then again, he wasn't a paratrooper or sf. He privately purchased a William Rodgers Stiletto Dagger before he landed in Sicily...which I now have.

GCR817 wrote:That is an awesome knife and I really envy you for having it. Canadian marked ones are quite rare from what I understand and most often are electric pencilled with the C/Broad Arrow, although some are die struck.

I don't know much about them as far was issue goes. I would suspect mostly 1 Can Para, but who knows? I met an Saskatoon Light Infantry vet years ago who had one issued for the Spitzbergen Raid, but couldn't say if it was Canadian issue marked.

Certainly a great knife!

Electric penned C broadarrow, who would have thunk! It looked hand done to me and I would have passed on it..now I know better. Thanks for sharing the knife and the information, guys!

jholl72 wrote:

Electric penned C broadarrow, who would have thunk! It looked hand done to me and I would have passed on it..now I know better. Thanks for sharing the knife and the information, guys!

It was hand done.... I have several other wartime items with electric pencil C broad arrow markings and RCAF markings. My understanding is this was done at the unit level. Regardless, it is definitely legitimate and thankfully the seller had no idea what a C broad arrow is and apparently neither did the other bidders as the knife was listed in the US section of the auction and sold for a very reasonable price IMO.

Infanteer90 wrote:

jholl72 wrote:

Electric penned C broadarrow, who would have thunk! It looked hand done to me and I would have passed on it..now I know better. Thanks for sharing the knife and the information, guys!

It was hand done.... I have several other wartime items with electric pencil C broad arrow markings and RCAF markings. My understanding is this was done at the unit level. Regardless, it is definitely legitimate and thankfully the seller had no idea what a C broad arrow is and apparently neither did the other bidders as the knife was listed in the US section of the auction and sold for a very reasonable price IMO.

Congrats on a great knife and at a great price, it's always nice to be the guy with right knowledge. Reminds of the WWI tankers mask I picked up at auction, listed as a 19th century stone cutters mask.LOL!

The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was issued the U.S. Marine Raider Stiletto which was manufactured by the Camillus Cutlery Company (of Camillus, New York). Their U.S. made stiletto was identical to the Raiders except it had a parkerized blade and the hilt without the U.S.M.C. scroll and maker's name etched on the blade. It is believed that as part of the original production run; 500 parkerized units were manufactured.
Roy C. Rushton who served as a sniper with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion reported about the stiletto:

"I was issued the knife you mention in 1943 or 1944 by our Quartermaster stores. I recall that it was darkened but I am unable to recall what was imprinted on the blade. Our knives were always referred to as "Killing Knives" and they were used to dispatch German soldiers on at least two occasions. Some training was provided on how to attack or defend from the front and how to attack from the rear." ”

— Roy C. Rushton

Here's another example:

A photograph of Roy C. Ruston wearing his stiletto:

Canadian issue marked F-S Fighting knives are rare and I have seen them in various styles.
1st Model F-S with "S" guard - C/|\ stamped into pommel (I sold it)
2nd model F-S with straight guard C/|\ electic pencilled onto blade (carried by a buddy in Vietnam and now in Canadian War Museum)
3rd Model stamped on side of guard.

Colin

Can you clarify what you mean about the 3rd pattern being stamped on the side of the guard? Do you mean on the narrow edge of the guard? Or do I totally misunderstand what you are saying?

Affirmative - a tiny C/|\ on the narrow edge of the guard. Grip was the 3rd model ringed grip.

Colin

I wonder if I've ever handled a Canadian marked example and didn't realize it This is good to know and I'll make sure to inspect any 3rd pattern knives for a C broad arrow from now on. Thanks!

Did you see this ebay auction:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-1-CAN-PARA-Knife-/200797670756?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec0794d64