Wilkinson Sword Type D British survival knife

[Mike Fawson]

I have had for many years (25 years or so) a Wilkinson Sword type D British Survival knife and just rediscovered it lurking in the bottom of a draw. The model I have is the 1B/4594 (with the crows foot), from what I understand these were made in the 1950's for aircrew and some say "special forces", however beyond that I cannot find very much information about the history of these knives. Can anyone provide me with anymore history about these knives? I'm particularly interested in more precisely when they were made and who they were actually issued to.

Thanks,

Mike

[Mervyn Mitton]

Mike - for the benefit of viewing members, would you please add a few photos. The manufacturer

is often on the guard - at least on the earlier Commando knives. Mervyn

ps. I have just noticed were you live - you are probably our only Member from Sark. Although we

do have many from the larger Channel Islands.

[Mike Fawson]

Mervyn, here are a couple of pictures of the marks on the blade. As I said it's a Wilkinson Sword type D survival knife from the 1950's. There are no markings on the cross guard (which is usual for these from this period). I'll post some pictures tomorrow when the light is a bit better - it's actually too bright to take decent pictures today

I'm certain I'm the only member of GMIC who lives on Sark - moved here 2 and a bit years ago from the West Midlands/ Welsh borders and am loving every day - it's a wonderful place

Thanks,

Mike

[Mervyn Mitton]

Mike - I think you have a very interesting piece here - probably not very rare , since so many would have been issued.

The Fairburn-Sykes Commando would have a far greater value.

I can tell you that Wilkinson went out of business in 2005 , their dyes and machinery being sold in Germany and to small

British enterprises.

I have a feeling that this knife has been on the Forum in the past - however, hopefully one of our collector's can tell you more.

I have always wanted to visit Sark - it became a legend because of the fortitude of the old Dame of Sark during and after

WW2. What is the population now ? Are there still any pieces left from the German Occupations - or, have the dealer's been-in ?

Best wishes Mervyn

[Chris Boonzaier]

A nice looking knife! I would go the other way and say 90% of the Fairburn sykes daggers can be had for pocket change, I would way prefer this!!!

[Chris Boonzaier]

Seems these early ones run about GBP150-250.

I used to habe a modern one.... it was a really tough outdoor tool, but nowhere near as finely made as these old ones...

[Mike Fawson]

Thanks for the information and comments.

I do also have a fairly early FS knife, but I prefer this knife - it's very functional as a bush/survival knife.

The original type D's are actually becoming quite hard to find, I wouldn't say they are rare but they are now commanding prices of anything from £170 to £250. I think I paid something like £10 for this, I originally got it as a "bush" knife and used it as such - it's so solidly built you can take small trees down with it (if you have the odd half an hour to spare).

Mervyn - you asked about Sark. In the summer we have a population of around 650 to 700 with all the seasonal workers, in winter the population drops to about 350 to 400. There weren't many fortifications on Sark, there were mine fields everywhere. The only real remnants of the German occupation we have are the German barbed wire fence posts (we have a couple in our garden) and the odd tunnel here and there. Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney on the other hand have masses of German fortifications.

[Chris Boonzaier]

"ps. I have just noticed were you live - you are probably our only Member from Sark."

You think he gerts Sarky from time to time? :-)