Page 379 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

377

Bowie-knife
style blade
Rubber RESIST
loops

Horn grip with “beaked”
pommel and five rivets

Embossed leather ANCE WEAPONS
sheath Crossbow frame

▲ V44 SURVIVAL KNIFE Originally ordered by the US Army Air Metal bolt
Date 1934 Corps as a survival aid for downed aircrew,
this fearsome-looking weapon became AND
Origin US
popular with US troops fighting in the
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Weight 2 ⁄2lb (1.1kg) Pacific Theater of Operations—the area of
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Length 13 ⁄2in (34.5cm) operations of US forces during the Pacific War. EQ
Windlass handle to
tension rubber loops UIPMENT

T-shape fits in palm
CROSSBOW

BOLT
▲ “MIDDLE EAST” PATTERN Cast from a single piece of brass, this knife ▲ “BIG JOE” CROSSBOW
KNUCKLE-DUSTER KNIFE had four protruding studs on the hilt for AND BOLT
Date c.1943 punching. The steel blade had a single cutting Date c.1943
edge that swept upward to a point, making
Origin UK this knife suitable for stabbing upward. Origin US
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Weight 15 ⁄4oz (450g) Barrel containing baffles Weight 8 ⁄4lb (4kg)
Length 11 ⁄4in (30cm) and wipes to suppress sound Length 26in (66cm)
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This OSS crossbow was powered
by rubber loops that were tensioned
by a windlass handle before firing.
The front frame and shoulder stock
could be folded for ease of transport.
Breech block
Combined fore sight
and trigger guard ◀ FP-45 LIBERATOR PISTOL
Date 1942
Origin US
▲ WELROD Developed at SOE’s Station IX,
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SILENCED PISTOL the Welrod was an exceptionally Weight 15 ⁄4oz (450g)
Date c.1943 quiet assassination weapon, Barrel 4in (10cm)
especially when firing subsonic Caliber .45in
Origin UK ammunition. The sights were
Weight 2 ⁄2lb (1.2kg) marked with fluorescent paint Designed by OSS as a simple and
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Barrel 12in (30.5cm) for low-light conditions. very cheap gun, the Liberator was
intended to be paradropped to
Caliber 9mm
resistance groups. It had ten rounds
Pistol grip of ammunition and was delivered with
containing Cocking handle illustrated strip instructions for use.
six-round
magazine

◀ STEN MK6 The silenced version of the
Date 1944 Mk5, the Mk6 featured
improvements such as a wooden
Origin UK
butt stock and pistol grip. It was
Weight 10lb (4.5kg) produced on request from SOE
Barrel 7 ⁄4in (19.7cm) for guerrilla operations in Europe.
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Caliber 9mm