{"product_id":"original-british-wwi-cloverleaf-hobnailed-trench-club-as-featured-in-at-arm-s-length-trench-clubs-and-maces-vol-ii-by-david-f-machnicki","title":"Original British WWI Cloverleaf Hobnailed Trench Club as Featured in At Arm’s Length: Trench Clubs and Maces Vol. II by David F. Machnicki","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: One-of-a-Kind. This is a tremendous original British WWI trench club constructed from a single piece of turned wood and fitted with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e12 distinctive triple cloverleaf hobnails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e around the head. The top of the club was hollowed out and filled with lead to increase its striking weight, while two metal reinforcing bands were fitted around the head to help prevent the wood from splitting under impact.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis exact club is featured on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePage 11 of Volume II of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt Arm’s Length: Trench Clubs and Maces\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e by David F. Machnicki\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The accompanying page image is copyrighted material and is used with the author’s permission. A printed copy of the published page will accompany the purchase of this club.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe entry reads:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“This British trench club is an excellent example of craftsmanship that was constructed from a single piece of turned wood. The entire length of the club has a beautiful dark color. Its total length approximates 457 mm and its mass is 623 grams. To increase the club's effectiveness upon impact, twelve hobnails, of a triple-cloverleaf design, were symmetrically affixed in a pattern of three alternating rows (4 hobnails per row) around the circumference of the head. In addition, the center at the top of the club's head was hollowed out and filled with lead. A 3.0 mm wide flat-headed nail was used to secure the leaded center to its mounting. And to prevent the club's head from splintering upon impact, two flat metals bands (6.0 x 1.0 mm) were attached to the top and bottom of the head using four (4.0 mm diameter) flat-headed nails. Two of the nails are now missing. The club has a cylindrical cone-shaped design that gradually tapers towards its grip bearing 22 regularly spaced grooves. Its fat pommel is slightly damaged. A 7.0 mm hole was drilled above the pommel for a lanyard.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe club remains in very evocative, heavily used condition. The upper reinforcing band has broken, and a long crack has developed beneath it. Two of the original band securing nails are missing, as noted in the published description. The wood shows extensive age, handling wear, and a deep dark patina throughout.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe head retains all \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e12 triple cloverleaf hobnails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, arranged in three alternating rows of four around the circumference. The lead weighted center remains present, as does the surviving securing nail at the top.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe turned wooden body tapers gradually toward the grip, which has \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e22 regularly spaced grooves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The pommel shows some damage, and the original lanyard hole remains above it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrench raiding clubs were among the specialized close combat weapons used by troops on both sides during WWI. They were particularly suited to trench raids, where compact, quiet weapons were preferred over rifles in confined positions. Designs varied considerably, but many incorporated weighted heads, hobnails, metal bands, or other reinforcements intended to increase striking force and durability.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMany clubs were manufactured behind the lines by regimental workshops, carpenters, and metalworkers rather than by large commercial arms makers. As a result, numerous localized patterns and variations are known today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example is especially desirable because it is not merely similar to a published type, but is the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eactual club illustrated in David F. Machnicki’s reference work\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Its published provenance, distinctive cloverleaf hobnails, lead weighted head, broken reinforcement band, and heavy period wear make it one of the more visually compelling British trench clubs we have offered.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44905143631941,"sku":"ONJR26FETC16","price":1895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/6A89971D-0F4F-4C56-85CB-FBFA3577B053.jpg?v=1777454868","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-british-wwi-cloverleaf-hobnailed-trench-club-as-featured-in-at-arm-s-length-trench-clubs-and-maces-vol-ii-by-david-f-machnicki","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}