Just as fDefaultWorldFOV allows you to set the game field of view permanently, the fDefault1stPersonFOV= variable from Fallout 3 does actually work with Skyrim, too.
You just have to trigger it to take effect and stick once in game.

Add it to the [Display] section of your docs\My Games\Skyrim\Skyrim.ini (where your fDefaultWorldFOV= is)
- You can find the viewmodel size that works best for you by trying different values with the regular FOV command in the console while playing.
- Once you find one that looks good, quit out and add it to the Skyrim.ini
- To trigger it and set it permanently in game, you'll have to load your most recent save then access the map by going through the Character Menu screen (Tab key by default - Not the Map hotkey!). Once you back out of the map your hands and weapons should be the size you chose in the Skyrim.ini and stay that way after saving as long as the variable stays in the .ini

It may be possible to trigger it with other methods, too. In addition to accessing the map from the character menu, getting on a horse when only using the console fov command would revert the viewmodel size to 70, so it's possible it would initiaite you chosen .ini value as well.

It's possible to have a separate 1stPersonFOV & WorldFOV - I use 80 for the viewmodel and 90 for the world. Note that going too high with the view model starts to obscures the center of the screen more, they won't stay close to the left & right edges of the screen.

If you think the viewmodel size at the default 70 is fine, this info is not for you! If you using the console to change the fov and are sick of the viewmodels reverting, this is for you.
Hope this helps!

Examples:
http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/632982837656665216/9369D127F840EFCD24A3A52ED238FB72DF7DAC20/

i added fdefaultfov=85 under the display section and loaded my save and it it was at the FOV i had set it at. But then i tried checking my map like you suggested and it brought me back to the 70 FOV. Anyway to stop this from happening?

Yes, use fDefaultWorldFOV=85 instead. You may have to force the change the same way with the map, but afterward once set im your Skyrim.ini and saved in game, it should not revert. That command (along with fDefault1stPersonFOV if you care about the size of the hand / weapon models in first peson) will make certain camera changes (character menu, getting on a horse, etc) that would otherwise reset it to 70 force to your chosen fDefaultWorldFOV instead. It's the only way I've seen to permanently set the FOV, using the console or fdefaultfov setting will revert one way or another eventually. At least in my experience.