Original Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful example of a “Christmas Tree” shaped caltrop as used by the Office of Strategic Services, the predecessors of the now Central Intelligence Agency. The caltrop shows heavy oxidation but has a lovely patina. This is an American made, used and issued example and is not to be mistaken for being of German or Dutch origin.

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.

The Germans dropped crow's feet. These were made from two segments of sheet metal welded together into a tetrapod with four barbed points and then painted in camouflage colors. They came in two sizes with a side length of either 65 or 75 millimeters (2.6 or 3.0 in). They were dropped from aircraft in containers the same size as a 500 kg bomb and were dispersed by a small explosive charge.

These may have been German in origin at one point, but the OSS and other elements were notorious for copying designs and “recycling” items and equipment they found in the field, making this a wonderful research opportunity.

Comes more than ready for research and display.