Fairbairn-Sykes Dagger

History, technical sheet and photo

Image : Dague Fairbairn-Sykes

History of the Fairbairn-Sykes Dagger

The Fairbairn-Sykes dagger originated in Shanghai, China. It is here that his two creators, William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes, two English agents of the local municipal police, imagine this combat knife shortly before the beginning of the Second World War, A local knife.

After discussions between the two policemen and Wilkinson Sword Ltd., who were interested in their idea, the project was realized in January 1941. The first daggers were delivered within the English army. The British commandos are equipped with them and the latter are famous for this weapon. The same is true of American commandos belonging to the OSS (Office of Strategic Services).

Several models are developed as the war progresses: the most common is a 7-inch blade with a total length of 11.5 inches (29.2 cm).

Several copies are produced including the famous OSS dagger. However, the quality of the blades is particularly unpredictable and rare are the daggers that know the same qualities as the very first Fairbairn-Sykes. The US Army officially replaced this dagger with the M3 combat knife from 1944 on, but many remained in service for the duration of the Second World War.

After 1945 Fairbairn-Sykes dagger are used in Korea and Vietnam. This dagger is still in production today because of its success with collectors.

Fact Sheet of the Fairbairn-Sykes Dagger

Creator/User: Britain
Denomination: Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife
Total length: 292,1 mm

Blade details

Length: 177,8 mm (7 inches)

Guard details

Length: 114,3 mm (4.5 inches)