WWII Smatchet & "The Welch Knife':

Captain Fairbairn's SMATCHETS were used by both the British SAS and the American OSS in World War II.

The Smatchet was associated with both Fairbairn and Applegate of WWII - having a 16.5 inch (42 cm) leaf shaped blade .. over 2 foot O.A.

 Described in the OSS catalogue as a cross between a machete and a bolo, it certainly is a large & heavy fighting knife.

A Spanish BOLO Bayonet.

Ghurka Kukri.

 - it was actually based on the Royal Welch Fusiliers Trench Knife of World War I, which was designed by armourer Felix Joubert as a pure combat knife and that was based on ancient bronze-age leaf shaped swords. It has a broad, leaf-shaped blade sharpened the full length on one side, and from the tip to half of the other side. The entire blade was coated with a dull matte finish to prevent detection at night from stray reflections.

WW II SMATCHET by 'Case'.

The Welch Fusileer's WWI Trench Knife:

Designer of the Welsh Trench Knife "Joubert" claimed in his patent application that the knife was based on 'the well known and historic Welsh cledd' (or cleddyf).  However, no form of such knife is known to exist and it seems likely this was a connection Joubert made to appeal to the nationality of De Walden and his regiment.  Instead Joubert's design appears to be based upon the leaf-shaped swords of the late Bronze Age, found throughout Europe.  His weapon is a much broader, more robust version than the sword types it is based upon, well suited to survive the rigours of life in the trenches.  The addition of a 'skull-cracker' pointed pommel is so that even the base of the 'Welsh knife' can be used offensively, if there is no room to employ the weapon blade first.  A wrist loop through the hilt to prevent the weapon being dropped in combat was added along with a folding guard protected the hand, and also enabled the weapon to be worn flush to the body when sheathed.  Some blades were engraved 'DROS URDDAS CYMRU', which translates as 'For the honour of Wales.'

Use and effect

The weapon was carried by the battalion's Lewis gunners at the Battle of Messines, June 1917, as they are recorded as having advanced 'carrying the strange knives furnished by Lord Howard de Walden'. Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd-Williams, who later in the War was second in command of the battalion, stated that 'all machine gunners and bombers were always equipped', with this knife and 'every member of a raiding party was so armed'.  Certainly surviving numbers would corroborate this claim as although rare, surviving numbers suggest there were more produced than would have been needed for the battalion's 17 Lewis gunners."

The Welch (Welsh) knife is HEAVY at over a kilo for the naked blade and likely was as useful as a trench club with 'skull crusher pommel' as it was as a cutting tool.

- personally I have a 30 year old $5 Chinese made machete that is well used for hacking firewood & kindling stuff.

Marty K.