WW2 Fairbairn Sykes commando knife original "Commando Dagger " F-S Knife

Description

Up for sale is this
stunning WW2 Fairbairn Sykes commando knife
original
"Commando Dagger " F-S Knife.
This example is what is commonly called the third pattern (3rd) of this iconic British WW11 knife.
The year of manufacture is from Oct 1943 - Feb 1944.
This dating is based on the blade ( Thick hand ground blade with the Y grind bordering the cross guard ..see pics ) .This knife carries the doughnut shaped pommel and characteristic vise marks. The Grip is marked with a #3 and refers to Walsall Die casting Ltd , is an alloy,
not bronze or brass as sometimes stated
.
The Knife also has the  capital letter I with an arrow underneath stamped on the cross guard signifying a batch of these knives ordered from Wilkinson on 17 Dec 1943 " The Indian contract " of
2,500 knives.
This is definitely a ww2 issued or lightly used knife from ww2 which was deemed good enough to be retained ,marked ENGLAND for a later sale or use.
The blade retains most of its original blueing , has very light surface rust and tiny Knicks in places .The blade is also lightly sharpened and the tip is very sharp with no damage.
Generally speaking after the above date in 1944 F-S knives were made with the thinner machine ground blades and a large variation in the design of the pommels, therefore this examples dating is easily identifiable . The Mid war 3rd pattern examples of the F-S as in this case are said to be the
last of the true examples to the purists
, due to the hand ground blades in particular.
The F-S knives vary considerably in blade size and as stated after 1944 in pommel design . This particular blade is
6 5/8 " long and approx. 7/8" wide .
The cross guard
" Lozenge type"
measures
2" x 5/8 x 1/8th thick .
The scabbard is in very good condition as well but the elastic is well stretched after many years service. See pics .The leather is very good.
Please carefully inspect the pictures as these form part of the description.
The Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife is a double-edged fighting knife resembling a dagger  developed by William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes.
This design proved extremely effective in the right hands against flesh and blood. It is said that members of the British SBS have been known to carry the FS knife to this day, have used them in combat .
The US V-42 stiletto or cross dagger is based on the F-S commando knife , was designed by Col Frederick  of the  " Devils brigade" . There is a heap of other interesting history attached to this knife design, well worth looking into how it and Fairbairn in particular influenced its development and adoption by other units  .
Thanks for looking !!
Condition is "Used". Shipped with USPS Priority Mail, Signature required on delivery.