Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Australian Army Stiletto (Commando Knife)

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Subcollections

Edged Weapons, Swords, Bayonets, Knives and Tools

Overview

This form of stiletto combat knife was issued in World War 2 to Independent Companies and Z Special Force. Its design was inspired by the Wilkinson Sword first pattern Fairbairn Sykes fighting knives but has a narrower and thicker blade. The Museum has examples only of the all metal grip but some models had wooden grips.

Historical information

British Instructors were sent out to Australia to help set up the Australian Independant Companies (Commando's) brought their own Wilkinson Sword First Pattern Fairbairn Sykes fighting knives with them. Representatives from Gregory Steel products in Melbourne met with these men and from that meeting drew up the design of the Australian Army Stiletto (Australian Commando Knife). There were two manufacturers of the Australian Army Stiletto: Whittingslowe Engineering in Adelaide.and Greg Steel in Melbourne.The most common version found is with the cast "Mazak" handle. Some by Greg Steel had a wooden handle.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-55-579

Inscriptions and markings

Five types of sheath are known: cut down bayonet scabbard, a canvas sheath which did not withstand the rigours of the tropics and three versions of a leather sheath. One tapered conforming to the knife, one with a tapered section holding the knife attached to a rectangular base.

Contextual Information

A display of military knives and machetes used by the Australian Army, both issue and private patterns may be found in the Pacific Islands section of the World War 2 Gallery. All edged weapons, including bayonets, knives and swords in the collection of the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia are physically secured within locked display cases.

Links to additional resources

Detailed History

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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