Fighting Knives. An Illustrated Guide to Fighting Knives and Military Survival Weapons of the World 1980

63 Pages·2016·13.26 MB·English

by  Coll.

Frederick J Stephens

Fighting
Knives

An Illustrated Guide to Fighting Knives and
Military Survival Weapons of the World

Arms and Armour Press
LONDON- MELBOURNE

a

Fortress Publications
‘onrarua
iti rrr. ep of

Contents

Foreword
Preface and Acknowledgements

Introduction

5
6

Conversion Daggers of the Fist Workd War 22

1

2

3 Fighting Knive:

4 German Trench Daggers

§ Robbins of Dudley

6 Knuckle Knives,

7 The British Gravity Knife

8 American Knives

Y Knives of the Second World War

10 The Commandos and the Tairbairn-
Sykes Knife

LI Concealed and Assass

12 Machetes

13 Post-War Knives

14 Bright Ideas,

ation Weapons

Select Bittiography
Glossary

en 4 gH

§ of the First World War

eal
3
a
30
rd
63

9
107
113
119
122

126

127

Foreword

‘Goose combat edged weapoms have figured in
man’s armoury fro" the very ecrlist ines
dnd) while athe= forms. of wespuiy, lave
evolved én design amd use, the kuule has
remained a fairly Buse implesnt
Solgiers have always castied knives, They
were purt of the sssentia) zewipment of the
Iuuisanaris, and Were intended mote usu y
a4 lou’ than weapons. During the Great War
OF IDLL-LS, situations aross which called
the deploycent of nives as weapons rather
than as 90's, and the techniques of kutle
Fighting and close combat buzun Io evolve
along mors skilful Hw. The coubatant
‘ations til preduced « wice variety of knives
achured
for the pursue, aud ctsers were convened
From ailable matenals in the frontline
"even from the stcel barbed-wire
poss in the German trenches.
‘he Secané World Wer brought the fighting

of commando graurs and
‘administer silent deuch, shen
fmporcins, During this eri any owa Tit,
and the family business of Wilkinson Sword
Compazy, beeaiie involved m the desian ane
produetion of the very first British Commande
Gaguer — the Hairbsirn-Sykes Fighting lt
Uiwas my grrnfather who personally dealt
with Captains Fairheim and Sykes in the

production of thes knife design, @ handsome
Mileto, which in fers and reputation

Sized all the fascination an appeal thas
‘a weapon roles for anyone who
predates a good blade

Tlaving hee brought up in an established
family of curlers and swordimaxers, 1 sv
flaps hoc seme enthusiasms aud fascination
for the subject uf Knives — uot just the wares
fof the Fanily Dusivessy but the products o*
tlhe vuipanies anc mations a5 well. Prery
fuller seacrs in the same way, assesin
Analysing the quslcy and workmanship of
Another, taking @ professional ‘scares, i? you
‘ll Personal isvolveremt has tempered any
interes in tre subject at large, snd Fisting
efves in particular,

Ti this Hook, Freverik J. Stephens hes shed
rest light on a (airly weslected subject. and
fas backed vs raveauch ath Fard facts in an
trea where legend aboones. During the rirmail
Of war, weir little was doesesonted eanceening
‘hese Commando knives, enc eves the Patter
Room at afield have no record of Sealed
Patter. By exreful researeh of toe amly
records that do oxi, the author his pieved
togesher a fascinating beck for dhe volletor,
‘one whi! will surely bring ulti knives ito
the fore ‘> the Geld uf collecting edged
‘weapons,

Robert J. Wilkinson-Latham

sus ee mee
Preface and Acknowledgements

nef the esting thar about ing «book ow
Fgiting aves ass heen soot wth elre who
[ikea va ereomaged the complain of ork.
tee, ast be ised at Fig be ely oe
Nove: ion rary elles atau chose the
fomplie thie re, wnat wes tg tea

She ec tig fon of te tessa ae Ae
sues ts Wiley sneloed Tre =o ope
Eiimates andthe eazy of austen certs
figems Sony and Seas saith) moa > 0
{Bie stady end soesion oF Rahn eae.

‘Hava soce bere miennd be Kec aed
Imigicial woulbtcall teeter mana ea 0
[Tres pari besurepoucal er Tahing Ks
forme ay cme abe ke i ce us
he ul ciate ig msnneras and deogan one
SW bwndad forthe sare sie wa fase te
evel tea of the sles oe of ix (ine cols
ifthe terse lo dtcmsehhere iting ve saded
Unlvonhal hanes Ua Toe seri conser,
{Sad eo oae em dem Hae = aif dg or eg
flour june does ot on i 0 Packing 1
Stroy. Oy be oer boa im US 3 if ned
Shih fort, vest enanly clases esa
Entel eal ii, Avo cane he oer
Sth wes, witout coutt inengee for watag 6
‘Seapone dept hots ose wraceve 1 dow
Tuition cr stnal bu ere morey sacar wes
Bul bare lace pine, a ie beaks however ase]
oie iin he they ao ds tor on for
fansiad,
decing cv se sce tam perso 2e Paced
the deel see At ima, dacnlopal estate
Sees tae bon sletomaiowbere sae wow
Sines rear dali fo ales combing =
Meine this) covets! aud he bet sua (0
Mitt Foun Sean og ated:
Jnevined, eapont othe AMIS Ure Me
Whee gue yo ali, pnd cea he ETUDE
[Ene andthe Best World War feu ther nam al
‘lonalsctoa, mers, oc We ihe hand, dens
(nantes to pri age ie Made Ch a wave
utes ste) Contino agers ama ik Laie
‘Ses pert arin enough wasn et os

eslminesonergs om says of. the ele Bm
Garant ieouel cover be themow sae
Soe acer, farang av asu ay ow ane du
‘feted milf eau nev pa tse

Thsonsdeing wher poope Ting ice te
smuty Yin tris be hobs 2Ged ae ated tle
Jrovactine of ny Tp ples, WN 20% 85
Airy eleagac Be Coetek who ha bon oa as
Droit sat ts metas. Jota as eww 9 re a
Ffevan gems aad © ing of nfrmadon re scet

{sonwnptcn of pealsas_ sins
‘Stenger wivcaserng cu magna Th potcmepts
Be caus send somone fomiad trom Jeb
Spar han san: x00 Gorcon Wr, wi bod
seureivah ec of pony negate. Comer
“Sno of rater wn hoe been eda
Garston praises ts Book G2tdon sms Ye
Spent Se ert andnamsed
Reber Wes Laan, eague oP age
stsning aod» aesbicgumany om Baged Neo
rou i wae good sungh to na the area 2.
Phe auvce an) eran a gactece Sob sr gery
Soiled grtval alae) from fs fa
MTree Te oe gee Lavecoizated tera 9
tue monk ard T neh fo eckrovedse™ Heras.
Nraunen Noe Yak Ron Teak hah, Saree
Jesus Shetieus Bary laces, New Zotaa
anh, Praye Checked; a Saul
Elvan Chie TM Teheran, USA: Cece
Soins Thome Bry, OK. Rear Jace Loran:
non brio, Bewiaghems Walls ard Walls, Coes,
ieee Aribowy de Seunser Boek: Di fe
DMilttims MIB Critorrn, U.S.A Rag Needtar,
ota Mg bong an! wt Rotates Nike
Debat tamoute Best Molly, Merde, Cea
Pein New Yorks essen rbleting Ce Los Argh
Maly” Cogioves Weare Crste Sion)
Stato Sali Fea, Loan ACY” Pave’ vt
dame ote iliac ed als, we ae
iy ne eter ny deepest ark

Frederik, Sess 1880

1.
Introduction

fea Book iba peor rndy uw Fiag Foes
‘rn singe of hope a ns be em! bp
Tnatpe alert athauga nieces
Cemumos or mizays new ofthe eas he Hf
Sa tie ele weapon rer afl act
Th soeshstifece reey aera onal acourene
ritepeleer Miran ccedaee aeons me
oy ales sin and fu bo the Ogham hae fn

Mil an a ase oboe Fe

Sete toes weno dtl, es fore an
emia pe. of Ue wania’s equnmert trader
ints THe dein fom of the hae, wc sie

mens the tocmigye where ay ee So

Emirs wore detbertsy ducer wht length
‘ind weualle the ger fo wake ie eremy wi
Enliae so oc fo hom, Mis won tne despete &
SEsim neon und ewan til te ent
Enlae Shek ant ioowe feted shaun of
Sitedluatslip wer tonetea Sut aor Me as

"thanlyaanecl sea, eon whe wot
stewen Ube bow tad amosy simre thou it na
Wirimaanestntalncopoy of met ene de fr
Giitecrvtane ual ey pe of te a Cen.
revere tees: dct matey bee the
Sthad tk te Sbolegence, But meer
Se Shasbow whe neapen for Buran profs The
‘hcsd and Gace tomar ot thes se end
Se ntee peranis ofine foe cond upor exibotie: =
Shettie Heer asumumion a Ben FPL
a nTRODUCTION

ot the mond ate i 3 devo rom
li soph Sono cof nerd ch Sw nai sma
Ferre tas ale Indie ad But age age Gem ewe
(Gergen a eel kilt: Dan ta Sec.
Eee rhe ia ate le
tse ops rma erin fhe Latin rdf
feta Ihe bert “neeee, Downer, alms 1S BE
Coa on, ems frm he ern me
“Repco, Hah woul spe ts hve er commen
Ue neon a let dog the 20k Conny. Pa
‘Tee fiababiy sucked spit lend by the Normans so
Tinie mond wena heck to rence whee
Powe tapes Cndeyy epee eeat eae
pasenita of alec ane dager wastes ty
Restantors aa saat of Wuksm of Seek te

Sesess, the fave dnt, weve

1 Gay cya ite
facil ha See cata Sat
se ce Nee ah oe las
EE Mn scone nine
Re Ny af Danae pied ee
SEES eae ns
oe ee

rescence,
‘shen in combat were cea recognized i the reasoning
re Saeiecaares een are
Hane Nth caer, sm arn
ona te ada ee
Sra S teh Reeds ot ass
55 ie ea a shack
She na at ae
Eee Sees heme
oon at a
(Bogan atviongle sctiontittest
SPSS sated sana caer
SEDO 2 Ate" ce ste Sat
Sipe graft organ ee
lookec, and tachnolosie, thinkina namrued the heme of
Secretar att aus
Reemeopeiceeer es
eee a ok Sie
marae tactic soa, mene wb

tres ddd ep th sates By ie lief the T=
Cass lo sont tetalcucr se more cls
fresh notslé ees cLipee tn mace: and
(inc, ns ners inh Payeneebaeraxe as mu
‘ce hang teaps on oxasesh nd fot soils had
Fecretts spose comin aad wsiped, wae net
ocpakies peovate perce? ep te ary rn
bere oe clave ware Bre
Stout Satng fo emg my thesia aves
porn, and clos qvarer “oh wih sword
Riven nmkisomce sle are caring vores
The laa of toe prnepy es sat UMOWE TBC
Bats ro ety Busey ry teh along he
Sie ie Gay Ge Geman ad Bate oe
Uli tos rater hans meu The dsc ste! Bes
trgmt be ear ite cute ote fa charge a
odie ni wae nose sige has fe abi,
Geo of of armet ron ad yet another
meopnen to shor the ward, The Gat Wa,
over moa -a0n prove ocarve

‘Thee Wort War wives Sared wih apis st
in te somes of Sauiovn on 130k, gave tas
Dnporualy for seal Euopea' sts to ate

INTRODUCTION = 9

oni nd nip the slate sua ca wate fe 1032
nie of cut etsanwtten Mane
Eeernlan: Bed log dove secon he
‘set Lomein lotto sve Gams inthe sa of 151
$e foemrm me's dakrmines 1p o.d ont Lorraine
Uoecngue nscale the sazang emis of he
Fite, Rnghe icred ade sme aban
fanearThetaucg czar ndeccie in \"en and
a wens Yor the'msn artes, eh of
wien died oscar Lo value hon on
(poses Tieshion vaereaisd s cww main ya. 8
RoSeeker
‘Reorder oreo the ik aca of Badan
nected Rese formulated (1998907. Tie we
[Petes ae sceupr cn nt 1 war al ch te
ISL, Sica seir jored thas eee seats
mss i pai te Gena, Genny bree a
terra would se ays by Chistian a Frases
eed tat ney tastes Maul be vetrius i as
Silly. Bute nae wiorg. the wor nae non Ont BY
Shoes, and Bruen, Pace unl Resin would we
{cour our rate ane lore al eters of 120s
Fed bite Wat ritory nas woe, [eae became
fens he mila stems of te Soba,
The oor searmse whch Tore Oe ame
ones sl carsaped, ope te fag dow oF 2
adit amy by cmens Rie oa wee ah me TH
Etvcver as WFaE Rnponcd who afer the Zoe
Mhlenwe Pad ide eating pe
Esch epower a coud ine

ma he eae
fave an sre fro Le shee wp Sewer ee
Then or whe arms bozee down Ir css,
yncand aun such ter Ry ones oF 33

Sinus bid; ohle ree baievg fem sel ech
‘uae moni TRE ech peste we estate

fe warms had onsen est
tel ances in of peeemorted mad etd
Sha ccte’sBate-sen Gospe ma aint ows

Und fre whe exantal suplr boean ovr ot. Fast

sepia d acy of Oat slic
Siseer rind mol bem datgned for var in ew
onion, nfo tosh, leg nis, eel 3
Uipcas un wee se mah herr the omc
ied wis has frauen abing place St “ie se
oops were seccuanrg soc oli the mad
Ciel lat subd the frome Bee ar combat as
‘him Taos snp bial id asees wempen
Sa foend, Ise tece tala ha tence
“rsgps on bosdo sifted few he ne pblems
Fiat sapic end abt te foray Ble ay
ire Docs frequen. The Mais we
‘ahs rsucd wm Lovee on sowed tat
‘hisang pick were que mpactale nthe arrest
Screg troops tere a ys mul
DOTEAED pent swe Fens suming Gat joa ad
Sewn fe In wesu ofthe cect aking of
Mouton the oe quip Toad the eons oe
foluawrltn waar held Be seu aud er te
ba ws dei owns befor the enemy oun
edekad. Proms wee eettom tke ules te Ne
Sites ad so ust for line pugs

Tr uma he uray sh ory hse ae Aied
‘noua onl snore he Ceara fie tert iv
Sgn weie sate songpes om Hney were ooked
Son aol bs sonoma, but as coc weapeet ane
ny ste peed up fat ues wan oc i

Me tances, te ais

ne

oe crime saorcomioae 2
Roneie oop tal (fake ther wou
‘Gouin, The nara petal ppl of eaters
im wih wo Geter wempeats pcre Sat Se

Stowe mpreyaua we the Trech Mao cu
{flere sal eng weapon erace oy Freie oop Tom
Seve eutab-eie poste mich (he Gcrmate tad
cece ede ct wt ony Seem ahd
Sing Kons end aby for ala sig. Bey ok
TS fees Ho aah Se Inca i
Rin Naf rt works home orice sto fate
Fioken equsttert wae efrvabed ales were
Fed, ical xen mer ve, ad dhe
‘Ripe was onal sw tte ee

oom Ens, wales oF cer (ems red
sng hates the mamutactine fs ee ie
fener pueute e's. peas, sarpeene tt
Bait Gove did ne fake the oie and
eat or he hal aac? firing EF
geeesne wu: Cite poly, Rowevel the tee
SEUU'Styene nos nes uy reanind ye
Gerba as a red Hand
‘Webh Fuses, eogsind te
Shonen and eva pid forthe manctveute or #
Cellos swond co each ee met m0 et
Tom of, nm ancigal > hve nen weapons ma
terra Fre, Apt fo iy ot
ec ihe Rei tein, ae Sse enone of Core
Sto ote athe fe pseu sich ren Tae
testes tothe gh rear ot Ameria 1 er
inthe Bote aout cea omens

mony 2f hte experi eam Ter their way Bac 10
vrope iy oie; Further, dhe amare, wm Bad
ter boner roses of resch Waray couse
She. a cuniatdreenre teseh ale yould aot come
ile a's ts ne Ener mets prced ard
tue tr scope ensout fo Borope 188. The deen
Sutctameasqune barns, a aff onde
Stace Ui de fooley sh an armour pata fro
Netton wate
nue he Du fe the Cea Wi, cm! ation
vee grey fo the suo” fag kale. ey
So Ghe were rons an ed na ne pretaier of te
av scape of hay lke sespaee, and tine
fame Clow owt war ail cesidyee cha
[Ruin en mone tan tee bia seo a bse
‘Hlevadecea fey sida to bear 1 hile ae tle
eevee il ney Sons ie, when 3 ge
fv ies it pane eles re mg of Faroe
"So Pagusthete Rad bern abs Hy 90 ceclop-
spent of ving rcs betwee rhe war 19 oveaae
Tho eo tained tne mat prasialc at flee
(Shetrent nce tg emerge fam Slain and Ame
tevaktceld "sw tre Phew enesmatancs pela
So bie aura, Te Cosy an Wetec, ch
Rauparagereraly ary the of ape 0
‘Retin ted Sangcy eacasn enon ace
he ie Ke

gan telah ea oie si,
BSS taint pores

German developments
‘iter conan found Sere neazed a armed oui
Sie Pore ails i Eh 0038 noe
noah bat cn ict pipe se wort
{ie mumatie and Europe teal colased wie
‘Soleug of and ees

“Wirgeas Gutuany Lae art ecerivctechalogy ie
lazcmeopneat ef ie messy, here ws ore nen th
Mths cual deyacpmet? Yas aces pice —
Fete bnver. ‘how Usman infin io se
apa fit mnpons bees hebey n t
dot nchancel er ie esc nee coe
iin Woz Wer Thee hd ol ce ary ral awe
zit deign had zd 6 i
Fienind was fonger cones be nscy aie
fete loot angi Goma sree cosideed
Stuscgir wld eras be von oY, vactkal
Jnanostiriog and Ly acoveeom" eng bombs ed
toured sonar as rtd evs aise plry a rte
st wiuang wars he GDA ae clare! ye

Gaminsesos spat the rah ot Dury whee
‘apa ines aegepment had comple raed
trem

Tricesuly of Mehine knive ad illLay cusp,
vie Conn hd concided ates war ae oo (0

Sioevate
feces et
crerall exh Whim

TERRVERON:

sre et hing hangs, Tbe dattanp ai
Bite bar afiew alsin, urtmrmsres sae
Ipoypemdve so. manifacare 14 the th. cogh say
aeraker to prove muy agama Gens
inh Contedea on Wha thes @ ore alee pe of
[ote cee tse hawt so flat rene The concn:
‘Siting fr eres om Mh day the ea ree
Gatresaies theta parts ia eal
sro Bituake ara and these ate relents
Tieonianel tors syed, ms gv wae,
This date! suite mdows ween tate ara
fora, Iigethe nae fecure ots gy de
Srihparg lok. Tae eealee 9 sks fh comcalred
BikcTie foi on deel to arc forsord
ito me spn rosa wb pn ete on Ine de
wea geared, The sostatned ave was a ley (ee
TEs Tepeote roses end ou of te 9a omg
Presi Tuehaceuse wot camod na poate onthe
oor tne tate sa ill gad sa the
sesh ntl ett droped. The avs
hae nat Lt spy gand eee th te Fee
SE Monae on sass sil on we nang ore
erorocperergrled im ee, 4 netted LF
“The sn lad fe was asap piece of eo

i pekeat’ 9 roadie! loem or the Wes
‘Sivas Sanson Fontes of Carman ores.
Te ove ar Nat lemp ten teinl ge tN a
STi Sous ves sorb pee Se
‘Sowa nerarembaed it te Gams pil ea
[eNtconene ee lege a he lads pee. IC MLE
Cinewime.s sauaiiay of tent se cogs High
(CSumacd foros sat Lal aling wae 3 From
FiSebed. ta hat ebove allt sould bef Enlist ao
ion me aster of he meat es wpm
‘sceman poten formation about he gues in
forint re slat ighzr was tare. What
‘Sein into usta tn, The wee ke en
[icautemonpe ad spel nhs dvsitg fest
(ie th Genin anasey esse to rece Ove
‘Pel oneraons stoops aid us sun The avi
Satan dow guste Come. Tae expan tone fo
Nolbemsinme ove snes dened ig
(Chern an itt ena yy of the ets
if, tus wah neoepeated 2 fu new Fess ich
HetGormanesosea wore tM for le ie. Toee
aise, sel ae rather sexes, hae he ition of
[Unciarted on le nasa ih 9 WaeToeeit mash.
Be Siten Govraman, sceqame ash, equte to

Special dvs
Te tens roe tough nan sow Seing a8 (0
‘thee (efinting ne oul be deel pinay =
Notices meapon cana oe} abt sivas
Gredbded are mojo 6" oops would be Bete
same ne gn ta ike icine bat hee ere
Sets nar desided 3 mecuee ain ted amoe
infos wbicy could he coneaned o1 (he resin, uid
Aehldimighsbe vveosked feng boc) sarah The ES
Ene eteqlewsiotk forte Tess an snepe
ad seen dese aad ean thy wave me
forte crres wah. some. apm Fala. te
rosie, to br eorm desnep cowl) ane
Bona, feared tribes sn op Tey ete eae
St¥ling ncesonn forare:a spoil cuore
Pernnia The Mt Ingest of the coucete ee
pus war iat whith had bora divans Ale 06
Jpcaie teen i he Fv Pent nas tied
tebe oud os stot sfc be paticg espns 10
Inve els bythe Jaane, aM ries enon
(ree Uadgm 1 beeen te aroewoas bea wk
(Cpeneand pate Ty wee treme be oe 1 0°
(ibe by pacone tay tobe caterer rac overan

Postwar development
SENS ats gral sven soto he -praltion
Siuhalfighieg keves = tks atfersice ons io
Iver re the neapons, Kae pane aS
Sipe woos, so vo aot sere ean of
‘Beating re farulasuen so yal ater Forth
oleae fr Becca vale fnde mat Re
Ret or enema ar deelosed a ates ne
iis Imeinr gph fers have doped
Sokled Spit Urife/syonce nach no-Porice
Fair otlesuied Se clian cn tt decen fe comsured
the Bact omy is ten sued wh 2 Secentl
Satie: aye ftinn mle, Im TS eas
Enroetead teat tbe eg lad ben renee, Eat
Fini cd for espe fgg ha sar Coch perm

ere Te hint rvurene: as bt pei
‘abe sea hardbel! dgge

igngeaier an cain ites se uo Tonge he
spe bs ofc as moos Tht nce thy ee
Ufone cena! ues wean lesfaned Echo
oe sey ines yer pened fase
hat tre nes Ht a alway boon. Tbe hfe retain 3

ieee io the armament of the side be ake of
{pevsenwon bum Mite een yer epo.see malar
\Woldrae afer wertlng ste ved abe
‘Sntsuratt beyond lope ofacovey the ena
SST eran of ems Fem
Fae ita Pes try neccepac een ot al
ici foubles od aharcz uswn "he etm oh Ee

SAE ce nx oa te

nice plas Ie ba

Eee crn

16 INTROALETION eee
INTRODUCTION = 18

Neko ef

liicuasemmereay coma at