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View Full Version : OSS Smatchette why the odd shape was it to look


Johnny in Texas
10-10-2010, 04:24
Not American made?
Johnny in Texas
10-11-2010, 10:15
Well I did my homework and it was copied from a Welsh Cledd or Cled A short sword that dates to first century AD
John Sukey
10-11-2010, 11:28
Obviously shorter than the one that was carried by Welsh machine gunners in WW1 with a 18 inch blade, and 24 inches overall
Dros Urddas Cymru
Bayonetman
10-11-2010, 05:39
The smatchet was actually a British design for their commandos, and endorsed by Fairbairn (the developer of the F/S knife which the US also copied). The OSS adopted it, and one source states that of the 16,000 made, 10,000 went to the British. Very little use was made of this knife by US forces. See page 112 of Military Knives, A Reference Book.
John Sukey
11-07-2010, 01:48
I believe I.M.A. is now selling a reproduction. Of course "made in India"