OSS Smachet?

[jeremy69]

Hi, know little about these but from what I see this one looks real. For sale at the LGS, kind of steep at $1200 but it’s nice if real. I’d value some input in it’s authenticity. Thanks!

[siclfde]

Nice looking piece.

 

Scabbard looks correct.  So does grip.

[lovnik]

Looks good to me. $1200 for that blade in that condition seems fair.

 

(note: If one like it stood a chance of reaching me in France, I'd grab it)

[jeremy69]

Thanks everyone for the input!

[EmperorWangDong]

I paid more than that for mine. Weird looking thing to me is the parkerizing near the guard. Possible re-park with just the blade dipped up to that point?

[jeremy69]

Here are some more pictures and some provenance that I didn’t feel was material as I have no way to confirm it.

 

 

[dcollector]

Talmadge had worked at Martin Retting at some stage in the past, that was apparently how they ended up with his collection to sell.

The smatchet is a great one, but, the provenance is choppy. More a case of misremembering his stories than anyone trying to BS anyone.

I talked with the store owner, Dan, a good friend, for some time about this knife, as I have bought a number of Fairbairns and other fighting knives  at their store over the years.

I would say ignore the story and pay what you feel you need that Smatchet for.

 

PS. I believe a wood handled Fairbairn I bought from Martin retting was also from there Talmadge collection.

They said it had Malayan Conflict history.

Which is kinda unlikely.

But a nice one for my collection.