Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful example of a caltrop as used by the Office of Strategic Services, the predecessors of the now Central Intelligence Agency. This is an American made, used and issued example and is not to be mistaken for being of German or Dutch origin. We had received this example from an esteemed collector of OSS artifacts, with this being the first we have been able to offer!
A caltrop is an area denial weapon made up of two or more sharp nails or spines arranged in such a manner that one of them always points upward from a stable base (for example, a tetrahedron). Historically, caltrops were part of defenses that served to slow the advance of troops, especially horses, chariots, and war elephants, and were particularly effective against the soft feet of camels. In modern times, caltrops are effective when used against wheeled vehicles with pneumatic tires.
Caltrops were used extensively and effectively during World War II. The modifications and variants produced by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) of the United States are still in use today within special forces and law enforcement bodies.
This example is in wonderful, undamaged condition and comes more than ready for further research and display.
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