M-2 Paratrooper Switchblade

The National WWII Museum, 2006.048.019

Paratroopers were most vulnerable immediately after landing, especially if they landed in a tree or on some other tall obstacle. Should a paratrooper need to cut himself out of his harness or parachute shroud lines, he was issued a small switchblade knife. It was carried in a special pocket sewn into the M-1942 Paratrooper Jacket's collar and usually secured to the uniform by a lanyard that ran around the jacket's epaulette.