Original Item: Only One Available. Used in raids against the Imperial Russian trenches on the Eastern Front in WWI, this issued club is patterned after the Knight's Maces of the 13th and 14th centuries. It features a heavy cast iron head, surrounded by circular type pyramid projections with one on the top, which could deliver a devastating blow to any foe. Certainly rendering an opponent wearing a Steel Helmet unconscious and suitable for taking back to friendly lines.

A very similar example was featured on Page 21 of “At Arms Length: Trench Clubs and Maces” Vol. II by David F. Machnicki. This is not the exact example seen in the book, but it is the same model with the “vertical parting line”.

The entry on the book page reads:

“The mace illustrated above is an example for a simple but highly effective design and has a length of 595 mm and a mass of 719 grams. Its cast iron head has a rounded shape and is fastened to its handle by two round-headed rivets. Nine cone-shaped spikes varying slightly in size, are evenly distributed about its circumference. A horizontal parting line is seen on this model. Its slightly warped wooden handle tapers gradually away from its head to form a grip and a bulbous pommel. There appears to be the remains of a recess from the lathe center in the base of this pommel. A 5.0 mm hole was drilled through the base of the handle for the attachment of its hemp lanyard. The Italian Army had an early success at The First Battle of the Isonzo in partially taking Monte Nero (Monte Krn). But the Austro-Hungarians held the high ground on the mountain allowing them to easily resist the Italian uphill assaults. The Italians failed to dislodge the Austro-Hungarians from their positions.”

This is not the exact model shown at the top of this page, but is the exact model as the compared “vertical parting line” example shown in the lower graphic. This club measures roughly 24” long, and the head is affixed to the shaft by two nails, though it does have a small amount of play. 

The shaft has held up very well, and retains the same hole in the base of the handle for the attachment of a lanyard. 

An outstanding example with its original shaft, ready for further research and display!