Dutch close combat knives...

[J Temple-West]

On entering and occupying Holland, the Germans took over all armourment factories/arsenals and utilised all the equipment that was found.

Here are two examples of Dutch close combat knives that found their way into service with both Dutch Waffen 'SS' and German units.

The first is the unaltered version issued to a member of Regiment 'Westland'.

[J Temple-West]

This example is the shortened (by the Germans) version issued to German units.

[Chris Boonzaier]

These are very sexy knives... I wonder why they shortened it? The original version has a better figure than the modified version...

[Herr General]

Somehow they always remind me of the Roman Gladius. I most have an article somewhere telling exactly where this design was based on.

[Herr General]

There is also the story that the Fairburn & Sykes commando knife for a part was based on these "Stormdaggers"

[Chris Boonzaier]

Maybe, but I think it would simply be a classic design carried over from century to century...

[peter monahan]

Maybe, but I think it would simply be a classic design carried over from century to century...

In the Middle Ages I believe it was called a "poniard" and, more recently, a "stiletto": a narrow (symmetrical) blade, sharp on both edges, intended primarily for stabbing.

[Tom Y]

There is also the story that the Fairburn & Sykes commando knife for a part was based on these "Stormdaggers"

They've always reminded me of a plug bayonet. Hardly fot in the muzzle of a .303, though