Misc. Blade Etchings
Blade Etchings: This page provides you with some close-ups of the typical, and some not so typical, etchings found on F~S blades. These differences may make a big difference in the dating and the value of a knife. Wilkinson obviously had several different war-time logos. There were also several different patterns a customer could choose when having his name etched in a panel or scroll on the blade. There were major changes to the Wilkinson logo after the war with the addition of reference to "Her Majesty the Queen." The quality of the etchings, no matter who made the knife, are usually commensurate with the overall quality of the knife. Therefore they can be an important gauge of the vintage, intrinsic value, and collect-ability of the knife. One rule of thumb is that the earlier knives generally had shallower etches, this is not always true, but as I said, a generality. Deep etches may signify a later knife or reproduction.
Wilkinson Logos:
The following images are from various Wilkinson Sword Company knives and others. According to Robert Buerlein there are nine separate Wilkinson etchings. Etchings from other knives are included as well.
The following images are from various Wilkinson Sword Company knives and others. According to Robert Buerlein there are nine separate Wilkinson etchings. Etchings from other knives are included as well.
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Below: Wilkinson Second Pattern named to R. S. Davey
Below: This is a Wilkinson War-time production Third Pattern knife.
Below: This is a good example of inspecting your new purchase with a magnifying glass. Can you see the "S" (right side) from the F-S logo? Can you see the letters "FIG" for fighting knife (lower left). I saw them with my naked eye but the camera had difficulty picking them up. These logo were not etched very deeply and with a little polishing could quickly disappear.
Below: The center portion of this logo has been "rubbed out" literally! The lion and unicorn are still there at the top but faint.
Below: Col. G.B. Grabfield etch on a badly pitted P-2 blade
Below: Pristine logo on the Harley Britton P-2.
Below: Button hilt P-2 Blade etched for R.S. Davey
Below: is a war-time logo on a P-3. I only have one other WW-II P-3 with a Wilkinson logo and it is too faded to get a photograph.
Below: Now that you've had some practice, can you spot the Fake logo? The fake, shown below, is very easy to pick out. Maybe the incorrect spelling of sword is a clue! Let the buyer beware.
Below: The following eight etches are from original First Pattern Knives
Below: Wilkinson etches from very rare First Pattern with the slender blade and unique handle seen in the section on First Pattern Examples. Photos courtesy of Roy Shadbolt.
Above: Late production (1960s?) Third Pattern Wilkinson Sword co.
Below: 50th Anniversary Wilkinson Sword Co. P-1 
Below: Wartime gold plated P-2 by Wilkinson Sword Co.
Below: Very faint Wilkinson Logos on a third pattern knife. It is quite uncommon to find a wartime P-3 with a logo.
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Above: Etching is attributed to J. Nowill & Sons, also found on a knife by G. Woodhead Co. (See page under post war knives.)
Above: Late 1980s logo on the blade of a black nickel plated P-3.
Above:Late 1980s logo etched into the blade of a nickle plated P-3.
Above: Taylor "Eye Witness" brand from leather handled kinfe
Below: Ek Knife Company Model 2 
Above: Post war logos etched into the blades of two Nickle plated knives
Below: A very faint, late or post-war, Masonic logo on a Wilkinson third pattern knife. These are quite rare in any condition! 
Below: Faded Wartime P-2 Wilkinson scroll etched "Sargent."
Below: Wartime P-2 Wilkinson scroll etched for Marion Del Buono
Below: Blade etches for H.G. Long Second Pattern knife.
Below: Stamping or pantograph cut for "WSC". We will soon disclose more information on what WSC stands for. This is on the No. 4 Cdo dagger than once belonged to Peter Mason.
Below: New Ek F~S Logos for the limited Historical Edition 1 of 100.
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Below: Three near mint condition wartime Wilkinson Sword Co. Second Pattern knives etched with their owners names. These are among the most beautiful of the Fairbairn Sykes knives ever produced. Note that each knife has a unique Wilkinson logo. The bottom knife has a very distinct panel to include the date of Christmas 1943. More information on these under the "Named Knives" section.
Below: The etchings from the Tom Beasley P-2 of Wilkinson Sword Co. fame. Find more information on this superb knife under "Rarest of Them All."
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