Description
Foster Bros WW2 OSS Drop Knife made from re-purposed WW1 era M1913 Patton Sword blade. Rare “long blade” type -VERY hard to find nowadays; excellent condition, considering the age.
Very rare WW2 era so-called “OSS Drop Knife” half-sword fighting knife with an extra-long blade stabbing made from the WW1 era M1913 Calvary saber – aka “the Patton Sword” (the link is a courtesy of Wikipedia). These were reportedly made by FOSTER BROTHERS Company under a contract for the US military using whatever old bayonets and sabers Uncle Sam could find in old arsenals. Forced to improvise during the wartime shortage of quality materials, Foster Bros had reserved to using cut-up garden hoses and metal scrap as handle materials. The result was a somewhat crude, but very effective and practical fighting knife.
Interestingly, and in spite of its common name, there is no evidence supporting the claims that these knives were actually air-dropped for, or used by OSS operatives during the War. Although this particular “drop knife” was probably not best suited for clandestine operations or concealed carry, the fearsome looks definitely make up for the shortcomings in the not-particularly-practical design 😉 This “OSS drop knife” type is illustrated on page 172 of the U.S. MILITARY KNIVES; BOOK IV published in 1973 by M. H. Cole, and on page 175 of the KNIVES OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY WORLD WAR II book by Michael W Silvey – a well-established expert and the author of a number of books on the subject of the US military edged weapons (see the book’s scans attached).
This “half-sword” fighting knife is about 27-1/8” / 69 cm overall; straight saber-point blade is about 22-7/8” / 58.2 cm long. Fullered dual-edge blade is excellent, original saber tip is intact. The blade has retained its original finish; no heavy rust or pitting; the blade is nice and clean throughout. Four-point steel “D-guard” over rubber hose handle; no dings on the guard. The handle is in great overall condition; all parts are tight with no play.
This converted M1913 Saber-turned-fighting knife is a rare find these days – today most of the surviving WW2 era “OSS Drop Knives” are in private collections and are off the market. This Foster Bros WW2 OSS Drop Knife / “Patton Saber fighting knife” is one of the best American WW2 era “non-regulation” fighters. This “half sword” has a lot of character AND it’s in excellent overall condition; you will not be disappointed!
This rare Foster Bros WW2 OSS Drop Knife fighting knife has not been cleaned or tampered with in any way, it is in 100% original “as is” condition; these are the actual photos. If you are interested, I have a couple of “unmolested” M1913 Patton Swords in excellent condition available for sale in my store, plus scarce WW2 and WW1 fighting knives, daggers, trench knives and bayonets available for sale – please take a look at the store’s Militaria section.
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USPS PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. WILL BE $28 FOR THIS ITEM, SIGN-FOR DELIVERY CONFIRMATION INCLUDED
No International shipping for this item, sorry lads (too many international customs prohibit import of D-guard style knives).
