A KA BAR and a F/S Commando

[Mossdancer]

The Ka Bar has been as they would say rode hard and put away wet. The Fairbairn/Sykes is very nice.
Both have the original sheaths. It is my conjecture after many years of trying to accumulate these old guys the the knives seem to hold up better than the leather. Hence in many cases you may want to adjust your bid on one keeping in mind that the sheath may out value the knife. Any and all comments are welcome. The F/S is the first I have found that the handle is a bright copper.
moss

[Miller Bro's]

he F/S is the first I have found that the handle is a bright copper.

I think it originally had a black finish that someone polished off.

[Mossdancer]

D:
Found this on net. Looks similar.
I do believe it could be as you suggested. The sheath though wants me to think it is a much later addition to the long lineage of F/S Fighting Knives.

moss

[jerryd6818]

Moss Dimitri is most likely correct about the handle on your F/S third pattern originally being black. It is however post WWII. It's the Sheffield England stamp on the guard that gives it away. If you would like to do some research on the F/S knives, this is an excellent resource -- http://www.gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/fs/fs_knife1.htm