The Fatman Cometh:
Here is perhaps one of the best of all the variations on the Second Pattern knives. Some people call it a “Fatboy” but the name I am most familiar with is “Fatman.” Some controversy surrounds this knife, as with many  of the lesser known, and unmarked versions. Many collectors believe they were made by LF&C, Landers, Frary and Clark of New England. This same company manufactured other military knives including trench knives and the famous OSS Stiletto. Other collectors think the Fatman knives were made in the United Kingdom but I have seen no documentation to prove either hypothesis.

The subtle (but obvious to the afficianado) difference between a P-2 and a Fatman is in the handle. The handle gripping area is more tubular and does not have the distinctive “Coke™” bottle shape of a P-2. In  addition, the knob on the end of the Fatman handle is more bulbous, ie fatter. Many of the examples I have seen also have checkering that is coarser than a P-2, similar to that found on the OSS Stiletto. It appears that the original finish was a black paint of some sort although one example I have has very smooth checkering and no finish. This leads me to question whether the owner objected to the rough texture and sanded it down, thereby smoothening the checkering and removing the finish at the same time.

Most of the Fatmen I have seen have blades similar in profile, length, and
thickness to the late model Third Pattern F~S knives. These variants do not share the same blade profile as the OSS Stiletto either, which is both shorter and more pointed. This casts some doubt on the claims for LF&C as the manufacturer. (Also see my note in the section on inspector’s marks.) In my opinion, the fat handle gives it a better feel in the hand. Some of the examples I have seen are stamped on the handle with a tiny broad arrow and an inspectors number indicating they were accepted into military stores (inventory). Many of them have no markings and must therefore have been private purchase items. Sometimes you will find the ubiquitous “England” stamp that was required for post-war importation into the USA.

Some of the crossguards have an interesting diamond shaped depression stamped into the bottom for the blade to seat into. I have not seen this on any British made knives. The sheaths are very typical of those used on P-2 and P-3 knives, with one exception. I have illustrated one different
sheath fitted with some sort of a white metal chape and no leather tabs. The original owner of the first Fatman that I have chosen to illustrate here has made a unique repair to the sheath in an attempt to ensure that he will not lose his knife. You will note the remnants of the black finish on the handle and very little remaining blackening on the blade,the rest having been removed by sharpening. This knife has been very well taken care of through the past 70 years.