WWII OSS Escape Pocket Knife

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If you are a military knife nut and you missed the thrill of this knife being auction on eBay, you really missed something. I knew it would go high, but I never imagined that it would hit the stratosphere! These knives were made by Joseph Rodgers & Sons in Sheffield, England, for the Office of Strategic Services. The final price was an amazing $2,025 for this piece. Here are pictures of it for future reference; of course, you can also see it at MilRef-216; SilWW2-151; SilPock-77,78; Cole III-158 and BestCole-219-221.

 

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[Tony-in-NH]

 

 

I was watching that one also. I knew it would be through the roof. You just do not see those.

[porterkids]

Not only do you not see these knives for sale often, this particular knife is not even in any of the references I have. Cole Vol III shows five different variations (No. 1 through 5) but this piece, clearly marked No. 6, is not shown. Quite possibly a prototype or limited production piece.

[tsellati]

Not only do you not see these knives for sale often, this particular knife is not even in any of the references I have. Cole Vol III shows five different variations (No. 1 through 5) but this piece, clearly marked No. 6, is not shown. Quite possibly a prototype or limited production piece.

 

Being unfamiliar with these pocket knives I wonder if it is evident from the photos whether this variant (#6) has some feature(s) lacking from variants #1 - 5.

 

Tim

[seebee1]

The "Escape" Knife that I believe is associated with SOE and OSS during WW2 was developed by MI9 and illustrated below. The WW2 examples were un-marked and not manufactured by Joseph Rodgers. I do not have the reference books mentioned earlier and would be keen to know what is stated about the time-frame and use of the Rodgers pattern. Regards, Clive.

[seebee1]

Image of MI9 "Escape" Knife

[kjones5452]

So the Rodgers/eBay knife is a takeoff/copy of an SOE knife or vice versa?

[seebee1]

This is one of the reasons I am interested to know what is mentioned in the references quoted. My opinion is that the Rodgers Knife was in existence prior to the WW2 pattern I have posted. The Rodgers knife pattern goes back to Victorian times, though not with the saw blades. I certainly would like to know when this was added to their range. You will note that the WW2 SOE-OSS Knife has the addition of a screwdriver head and a lock-breaker, though some say the latter is merely a tin opener, but I think it is as stated. Also it is in a blackened non-reflective finish. Regards, Clive.

 

So the Rodgers/eBay knife is a takeoff/copy of an SOE knife or vice versa?

[bayonetman]

Seebee1, all the references are basically about the SOE-OSS issue version, and agree that the issue knife is unmarked and black. The one sold is possibly a commercial version, although some may say that it is an early one that was made for test or prototype.

 

One source suggests that the knife of this style was indeed a WW2 development from the earlier style (Rd 354051 patent of 1900). http://www.multi-tool.org/joseph-rodger---sons

 

(For those interested, an early version is shown below):

 

[seebee1]

An excellent link Gary, thank you for posting it. If you click on the "Escape Knife" mentioned on the website you will find the pattern that I illustrated. Although the Rodgers Knife is certainly interesting, I would never have sold this, were it mine, nor would I have bought it either, as being the pattern issued to SOE-OSS during WW2. Regards, Clive.

 

Seebee1, all the references are basically about the SOE-OSS issue version, and agree that the issue knife is unmarked and black. The one sold is possibly a commercial version, although some may say that it is an early one that was made for test or prototype.

 

One source suggests that the knife of this style was indeed a WW2 development from the earlier style (Rd 354051 patent of 1900). http://www.multi-tool.org/joseph-rodger---sons

 

(For those interested, an early version is shown below):

 

[gunbarrel]

Not only do you not see these knives for sale often, this particular knife is not even in any of the references I have. Cole Vol III shows five different variations (No. 1 through 5) but this piece, clearly marked No. 6, is not shown. Quite possibly a prototype or limited production piece.

 

Bill,

 

I thought the same thing and then I ran across this other totally different knife from the same manufacturer with the same markings... :dunno:

 

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