Smatchet History?

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bryce

Joined
Mar 27, 2002
Messages
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I ran a search On google on the history of smatchets And I got nothing Really Anyone want to help me out?
 
In a Discovery Channel series called Spy Tek, H. Keith Melton (espionage historian) describes the smatchet came from "smashing hatchet". Blade is massive to give psychological confidence for the user, and the mass would hopefully allow the blow to carry through if it catch on the low German sentry helmets.
 
The smatchet, sure is a huge double edge short sword.
Not something one would carry around without gaining some unwanted attraction at one point or the other.
It is by all accounts a big no, no in the urban setting; not unless you are in some place like Iraq currently :-)

Rex Applegate
http://www.clede.com/Memory/obitrexa.htm
See "smatchet"
http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/F6B.HTM
http://www.the-ekd.co.uk/800/uk3.htm
Use of smatchet (from classic WWII instructional combative book entitled "Get Tough")
http://www.vrazvedka.ru/main/learning/ruk-b/fairbairn-01_11.shtml
http://www.gutterfighting.org/smatchet.html


Krizzard, out

"...Whoever kills with the sword must be killed by the sword... "
- The New Testament, Revelation 13:10
 
Originally posted by Chris Keller
Wasn't Colonel Rex Applegate involved in the development of the Smatchet?
Click to expand...

Not the original one. It was British and I guess W.E. Fairbairn was involved.
Applegate seems to have had his own "improved" smatchet design, ala the one you see made by Boker these days, the double edged model (original Smatchet wasnt double edged) with a handle similar to the A/F dagger (which Fairbairn wasnt involved in, actually - just has his name on it so Applegate could pay royalties to WE's kids, or so I understand it.)
 
The original Smatch' was based upon an earlier model called a "fair sword" which was a take off on an even earlier design. Fairbairn liked the design and up dated it.
 
I knew about the new apple gate version but I was sure that wasnt the first incarnation of it. I wasnt Planing on running around down town with one on my back (Although I legally could) Thanks for the links
Bryce
 
Oops, I made a mistake on the Fair Sword. This was actually a redesign of the smatchet. I thought the Fair Sword was the name of the Welsh sword Fairbairn redesigned.

The order should go

Welsh Machine gunners sword of WWI.

Smatchet.

Fair Sword(it has a more daggerish profile than the standard Smatch').
 
I think Bob got it right.

My understanding is the smatchet is a native design to the British isles (Scottish maybe?). Fairbairn and his associates took the design and had it made for their purposes, in the form of the Fairsword. He recommended its use for those soldiers not otherwise armed with long-arms.

From what i've found, the original Fair-sword was very similar to the shanghai inspired commando dagger, with a handle and guard like the dagger, and a smaller double-edged blade.

During the war, the smatchet format changed, and grew. The British version is double edged with a hidden tang, guard, and a handle featuring a large pommel, reminiscent of the Carlson Raider bowie handle.

The OSS version of the smatchet had a straight wooden handle with a smaller aluminum pommel. It was also single edged.

Applegate's smatchet is most noticeably different in its semmetrical handle and full tang design.
 
Nothing much to add, but if you could get your hands on these two magazines:
1) Blade Magazine's one of a kind special issue - Fall 1988 "Combat Knives"
2) Tactical Knives - November 1997 (?!)

You would find two nicely written articles on the Smatchet.
The article in "Combat Knives" by Leroy Thompson was superb.
Whilst Chuck Kerwan's article seems a little more general in nature.
As I am sure those who know what I am talking about would agree.


Krizzard, out

"...Whoever kills with the sword must be killed by the sword... "
- The New Testament, Revelation 13:10
 
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