Product Overview
403214 OSS Smatchet The odd-looking, but very effective Smatchet was the brainchild of William Fairbairn (who also co-developed the Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife) during WWII for the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) and British SAS (Special Air Service) for use on clandestine missions behind enemy lines. There were many variations in the grip and pommel, but the basic specifications never changed. Our reproduction is based on an original piece loaned to us by a very generous collector (we matched it detail to detail). Features a 1065 high carbon steel, full tang, blued matte finished blade that’s razor-sharp on one cutting side and 1/3 of the reverse edge. The close-grained hardwood grips are held in place with 2 big rivets, the cast aluminum pommel (pinned in place) includes a lanyard hole. The hardwood lined and black leather covered sheath fits on belts up to 3-1/4" wide. Our replica even features the angled belt loop on the sheath, just like the original! Overall: 16-3/4" Blade: 11" long, 3/16" thick Wt: 1 lb / 8 oz
The smatchet was used by British and American special forces (Special Air Service and Office of Strategic Services, respectively) during World War II. In the late 1980s, Col. Rex Applegate licensed a modified version of the smatchet he and Fairbairn designed late in World War II.
