Questions on a Fairbairn Sykes

[Tasky]

Evening all,

Could I beg some assistance in pegging down exactly what this FS-style knife might be?

Aside from being rather corroded and rusty, the blade appears on first glance to be of the 'beaded and ringed' variety, as shown here: http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/f ... ringed.htm
However, the 'beads' appear either very well worn, or as if the whole grip was badly made. It's got me wondering if this is a knock-off...?

The sheath also looks like several examples I've seen, with the riveted chape and riveted frog section rather than stitched, although this one looks as though the frog has since been cut off along with the sewing tabs.

In terms of markings, I could find nothing on either the blade or the cross-guard, and the only mark is this Broad-Arrow with the number 4, which could mean it's genuine... or again is just a knock-off.

What are people's thoughts?
I can get more photos, if they'd help...


Thanks,
Tasky.

[jerryd6818]

Relax. It's the real deal. I have one just like it only in a little better condition. I'll post pictures when I get time.

[Gunsil]

Jerry is absolutely correct, you have an example of a fairly rare and much sought after WW2 F-S knife. Looks a bit short but still very hard to find.

[jerryd6818]

Bought mine in 1966 for the grand sum of appx. $5. Fast foward to sometime around 2000 (give or take). Took it to the Antiques Road Show where it was appraised for $500.

[Tasky]

Firstly, thank-you both for your help on this!

Relax. It's the real deal. I have one just like it only in a little better condition. I'll post pictures when I get time.

Actually I'm suddenly very un-relaxed... This seems quite a discovery!
The owner travelled quite a bit in his youth (currently in his 90s) and consequently has a stack of cheap tourist tat from faraway lands, including various Indian blades that would break if you so much as looked at them too hard.

This one is unlike any other FS I've seen, so based on the other blades he has, I was certain this was a cheap replica... until I found Gotavapen's site.
It is shorter than Jerry's example, by about ¼"-½" and slightly less pointed, but with nothing to suggest (to my eyes) that it's ever been sharpened.

I expect it's not worth anything like $500 (about £390) in its current state and with that knackered sheath, but is it worth enough to give it a value for the house insurance?
I can have a bash at removing or lessening the general corrosion, if that'd make any difference? I'm in the process of scrubbing away with a graphite carpenter's pencil, but any advice would be gratefully welcomed.

[eveled]

I would not do anything more aggressive than a graphite pencil and an oily rag. It’s a nice find. Harsh cleaning will devalue it.