sactroop Posted August 23, 2012 Share #126 Posted August 23, 2012 The original company was sold many years ago. They aren't the only British makers of the FS knife either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mi Posted August 24, 2012 Share #127 Posted August 24, 2012 That's what I thought. Their ads mention that they've made knives for 70 years, but direct questioning about the Nowill name goes unanswered. Just another repro... Thanks, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted August 24, 2012 Share #128 Posted August 24, 2012 That's what I thought. Their ads mention that they've made knives for 70 years, but direct questioning about the Nowill name goes unanswered. Just another repro...Thanks, Jim Excerpts from Ron Flook's book "British & Commonwealth Military Knives": John Nowill & Sons Original trademark (D and a star) granted in 1700. Second trademark (crossed keys) acquired in 1842. Company bought by Hopkinson Ltd. around 1950. From the current parent company website J. Adams Ltd ( http://www.sheffieldknives.co.uk/ ) is a family business which has been making good quality knives for six generations; we are the parent company for three other old established manufacturers F.E & J.R.Hopkinson Ltd, established 14 June 1944, John Nowill & Sons Ltd, whose corporate name was granted by the Cutlers Company of Hallamshire on 27 April 1700 A.D. and Austin McGillivray & Co. HTH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mi Posted August 24, 2012 Share #129 Posted August 24, 2012 Interesting. Thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactroop Posted August 24, 2012 Share #130 Posted August 24, 2012 I've a few post WW2 British made FS knives including a John Nowill & Sons. The quality is quite good. I think you would find them satisfactory. The history of knife companies are full of businesses changing hands. Sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worst. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mi Posted August 24, 2012 Share #131 Posted August 24, 2012 They seem to be relatively inexpensive on the website mentioned by gunbarrel. Much cheaper than the same knife they sell thru eBay. I already have a couple of WW2 and postwar Fairbairns, and (I think...) a 1976 marked one leftover from my gun show stock. I guess I'll stick with those for now and keep watch for older, more collectible models. Thanks everyone, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted August 24, 2012 Author Share #132 Posted August 24, 2012 I fell asleep for awhile. Looks like you found all the help you needed!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mi Posted August 24, 2012 Share #133 Posted August 24, 2012 Oh yeah! This site is a great resource, and, from my experience, the folks who frequent it are better informed than the average bear :hapy0004: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryd6818 Posted September 10, 2012 Share #134 Posted September 10, 2012 I found my F-S Bead & Ring in 1966, shortly after I was released from active duty. I don't recall where I bought it and for years thought it was some cheap made thing. It wasn't until a few years ago I decided to do some research, just to see if I could find anything on it. Wow! Was I ever off base. Up until the moment I started looking around, I probably would have put it in a garage sale for a couple of bucks. My go to web site for all things F-S is: http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/fs/fs_knife1.htm There is just a ton of information there. Some of the things I've discovered: 1.) The F-S Bead & Ring is a rare variant 2.) Most B&R were made for private purchase so those with the MoD acceptance mark (broad arrow or as some call it, 'crow's foot') (speculated -->) are even more rare. 3.) Those stamped with 'England' were sent to the U.S. in 1946 as part of the reparations for the war debt. From 1946-1952 they were advertised in American Rifleman magazine for $2.98. 4.) It was very common for the tabs to be cut off the scabbards. 5.) Originally the four numbers cast into the hilts of the 3rd pattern knives were referred to as 'mold marks' and signified which mold that handle came from at the factory. It has since been discovered that four companies made the 3rd pattern handles and it is speculated the numbers stand for the four individual manufacturers. - Perry Barr metal Co of Birmingham - Walsall Die Cast Ltd - H. J. Maybrey in New Cross, South London. - Wolverhampton Die casting Company This is the Bead & Ring I've managed to hang on to for these past 47 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted September 11, 2012 Share #135 Posted September 11, 2012 Jerry Thats a beauty.Thanks for posting the picture and your comments as well.Also welcome aboard.I see your a new member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted September 11, 2012 Author Share #136 Posted September 11, 2012 Hi Jerry...... Ditto RD's comment!! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V42 Posted December 21, 2012 Share #137 Posted December 21, 2012 The first style F-S knife is the best and the hardest to find in good condition. They are out there but I have noticed that the price is coming down on them. A sign of the times in military collecting these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
culdee Posted May 6, 2013 Share #138 Posted May 6, 2013 some very nice knives here. I am new to the forum but Fairbairn-Sykes are one of my many weaknesses. Most of my photos are too big to attach. I'll have to work on that. In the meantime you can check out some of my knives here. I Look forward to sharing info and images with everyone. http://www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
25a1eeda Posted July 7, 2013 Share #139 Posted July 7, 2013 Love the Fairbairn-Sykes, but I prefer the Applegate Fairbairn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neuron Posted August 20, 2013 Share #140 Posted August 20, 2013 I am new to this forum and I am blown away by the amount of information available through this Forum. It is a lot more fun to read about these weapons in this forum than just GOOGLING, thnaks for the hard work(although I suspect it is a labor of love). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeder3 Posted October 23, 2013 Share #141 Posted October 23, 2013 My very first fighting knife and what started my obsession. Fairbairn Sykes Fatman. Was given to my mother to give to me when I was born. My father gave me the knife when I moved into my house and he wanted "all my crap out of" his house. The knife was originally given to my grandfather in 1946 when he was a boy by a family friend. The picture is of my grandfather sitting on the soldier's shoulders and the letter is from the soldier to my grandfather dated 12/25/1943 from "somewhere in Italy." Only marking on the knife is a broad arrow/4 on handle under guard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
culdee Posted October 24, 2013 Share #142 Posted October 24, 2013 that is one fine knife. They don't come any better than a "Fatman." especially in such nice condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
culdee Posted October 24, 2013 Share #143 Posted October 24, 2013 I am trying to find a way to research a WW-II FS style knife. (I cannot figure out how to post a photo) So far I have found the service number on the blade matches a block of numbers assigned to new England, Army National Guard. I would like to find out more about Harold A Brown, ser, #20153409. How would I go about that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
culdee Posted October 24, 2013 Share #144 Posted October 24, 2013 here is the image of my knife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted October 24, 2013 Share #145 Posted October 24, 2013 I am trying to find a way to research a WW-II FS style knife. (I cannot figure out how to post a photo) So far I have found the service number on the blade matches a block of numbers assigned to new England, Army National Guard. I would like to find out more about Harold A Brown, ser, #20153409. How would I go about that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted October 24, 2013 Share #146 Posted October 24, 2013 -- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
culdee Posted October 24, 2013 Share #147 Posted October 24, 2013 Thank you gentlemen for responding so quickly to my inquiry. I appreciate your efforts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryd6818 Posted November 17, 2013 Share #148 Posted November 17, 2013 So far I haven't seen anyone address the early 3rd patterns with hand ground blades vs the later 3rd patterns with machine ground blades and how to tell the difference. I'd like to remedy that, if I may. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
culdee Posted November 18, 2013 Share #149 Posted November 18, 2013 The "later" third pattern were made by a number of manufactureres useing thinner stock but they are still forged blades. You're rightthey are machine ground and the coase grinding makes teh more susceptible to breakage, along with being thinner, and I wondr about the quality of the heat treat on the later ones. Any of the heavier blades with the flats like you show are more than likely Wilkinson because they continued to make the heavy blades. Some of them are probably over-runs from second pattern as well. Any of the third pattern marked either "42", "I", or "B2" on the guard are Wilkinsons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryd6818 Posted November 18, 2013 Share #150 Posted November 18, 2013 I forgot to add that. You are correct in that the hand ground blades (with the little triangular "flat" at the guard) are considered to be left overs from Type 2 F/S production. As for ""B2" on the guard are Wilkinsons", I was under the impression those were built by BSA. (and that's not Boy Scouts of America ) but I think I'm wrong about that because Olof Janson says on his fine website -- http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/fs/fs_knife1.htm "I must however emphasize that there are strong evidence against the theory that the codes represents certain manufacturers. Ron Flook shows in his excellent book a letter from MoD (Army) Quality Assurance Directorate dated the 7th of October 1981 says: ‘It is not possible to link examination stamps with manufacturers as our examiners could have visited each of several factories over a period of a few months.’ However it is reasonable to believe that knives of similar shape and outer appearance with the same examination stamps come from the same factory." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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