Description
Original and super-popular WW2 era “Smatchet” fighting knife designed by the British and later OSS officer Eric Sykes – one of the authors of the famous WW2 era Fairbane-Sykes dagger. This huge fighting knife looks very much like the original British-designed Smatchet; the difference is in the handle design and materials. This specimen is completely unmarked; large rivets’ type indicates manufacture by Case Cutlery. This exact type is illustrated on page 148 of the KNIVES OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY WORLD WAR II book by Michael W Silvey – a well-established expert and author of many books on the subject of US military edged weapons (see page’s scan attached). According to M.H Cole – an expert on American fighting knives the and author of the famous American edged weapons books series published in the 1970th – in a letter dated 9/13/1960, Case Cutlery stated that during WW2 Case made Smatchet knives for the Office of Strategic Service Command (OSS). Combat use of the Smatchet was famously illustrated in William E. Fairbairn’s book GET TOUGH! published during the war (see the scans from my personal copy attached). Lt. Colonel W.E. Fairbairn was the legendary OSS instructor and tough hand-to-hand combat and knife fighting techniques to OSS operatives during the war. After WW2 the US Government had quietly morphed the battle-hardened OSS operatives into what is today known as CIA .
This huge WW2 model 2 Smatchet fighting knife is about 16-3/8″ / 41.5 cm overall; large “leaf-shape” blued blade is about 11″ /28 cm long. Walnut grips handle with 2 large iron rivets; the pommel is cast aluminum secured with 3 pins. A large oval iron guard is about 3-1/2″ / 8.9 cm wide; all parts are tight with no play. The blade is has been lightly re-sharpened; the edge is razor-sharp still, the tip is intact; a couple of minor edge nicks are noted for accuracy. Original Model 2 black leather-over-plywood scabbard; the stitching has popped on one of the ribs but it could be repaired. There is one cut mark on one side but overall the scabbard is mostly intact. Original narrow leather straps were surprisingly flimsy for such a large knife; most did not last long in the field. This specimen’s original belt strap and keeper are intact; the leather is a bit dry but overall the scabbard is in very good condition, considering the age – this type is rare this nice and complete.
This original WW2 model 2 Smatchet fighting knife and scabbard have not been cleaned or tampered with in any way, this specimen is in 100% original “as is” condition. These are the actual photos. I have a few more American WW2 era combat knives and bayonets, as well as several scarce WW1 and WW2 fighting daggers and trench knives from other countries available for sale – please take a look in our Militaria section.
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Domestic US shipping for this item is $32 via USPS Priority Mail.
International shipping for this item will be $99 and up for most countries on our “ship-to” list.
