Charles1966 Posted March 19, 2015 Share #1 Posted March 19, 2015 Hello, I just received this in the mail today and would appreciate any and all opinions... It was listed as an 18th c boot knife, which I know or believe, it is not. It has a stacked leather grip with a brass hilt and pommel and a razor sharp, six inch carbon steel blade. The blade is a bit on the thin side but is none the less, very strong and somewhat flexible... I'm inclined to to think that it's a theater made (task specific) fighting knife but I'm not sure. The person who made this knife, really had a flair for the clandestine side of the military so that makes it a bit of a oddity IMO... Any opinions or questions are welcomed... Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles1966 Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted March 19, 2015 The darkening of the blade is just that, not pitting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popcorn Posted March 22, 2015 Share #3 Posted March 22, 2015 Hi. Very interesting. I have one modified from a FS fighting knife that came with a WW2 M8 scabbard. Made with different materials but a similar stiletto design. There is a thread on it done a while back. Nice blade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles1966 Posted March 23, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted March 23, 2015 Thank you for your response, you have a fine looking knife indeed. The blade on mine is thinner than a F/S, it's almost too thin to be used as a sticker, as it has considerable flex to the blade. You never know, it could have been some OSS agents letter opener... Anyhow, I would truly like to know its history. Thanks again for sharing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popcorn Posted March 27, 2015 Share #5 Posted March 27, 2015 Hi. Here is a pic from The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knives site. It's a great site covering just about every variation of FS knives and some great clandestine knives as well. The knife on the top pictured the author believes to be hand made. It also appears to have thinner blade with a stacked leather handle. Did your knife come with a sheath? That could help as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles1966 Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted March 27, 2015 Hi, thanks for the interest... Unfortunately no, it didn't come with a sheath. I agree, the F/S knives site is an outstanding for reference with loads of photos. I had seen the photos the that you posted on their site and likewise saw the similarities. I really like the knife and am glad I bought it but I would like to know the original intent of the maker. I talked with the seller and he told me that he picked it up at an antiques auction, so tracking the maker would be next to impossible... Once again, thanks for the interest and good luck to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popcorn Posted March 27, 2015 Share #7 Posted March 27, 2015 Hi. I can only see one purpose/intent for these stiletto/dagger type knives if you know what I mean. The one you have looks like it would serve that purpose well and from what I have read they were quite popular with OSS, SOE and special forces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles1966 Posted March 27, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted March 27, 2015 I'll post a photo of the blade when flexed and I think you'll know what I mean when I say, it's a bit flimsy for a sticker. Through a light shirt or something similar, I don't think there would be a problem but through a wool jacket or leather, I believe the blade would flex too much and break. I'll post one as soon as I can, thanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popcorn Posted March 27, 2015 Share #9 Posted March 27, 2015 I'll post a photo of the blade when flexed and I think you'll know what I mean when I say, it's a bit flimsy for a sticker. Through a light shirt or something similar, I don't think there would be a problem but through a wool jacket or leather, I believe the blade would flex too much and break. I'll post one as soon as I can, thanks... Hi. I was thinking of the below possibilities: 1-A letter opener. It looks too functionally made. I would expect it to be more decorative for if that was the case. 2-Presentation piece. But I would expect it to have a name/unit or dedication inscribed on it. 3-Commercially made. But then there would likely be a makers mark. Perhaps it's a hand made civilian knife for self defence rather than theater made? It sure looks like it's made as a fighting/defence blade either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V42 Posted June 26, 2015 Share #10 Posted June 26, 2015 Looks to be theater made. There were very many theater made knives during the war and at home which were shipped to the boys at the front. Even my father made a fighting knife he sent to his brother in the AAF stationed in the Pacific. It came back and now I have it with no intentions of selling it. It'll stay in the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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