Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a tremendous example of a First World War trench club as used by the British Army. It is constructed from a single piece of turned wood. Featuring 12 triple-cloverleaf textured hobnails, and the top of the club being hollowed out and filled with lead, this was a meticulously-designed weapon meant for repeated use in an unforgiving environment. As can be seen, due to repeated use, the top iron band has broken with a long crack formed beneath it. This example has true battlefield patina, and without a doubt saw extensive use in combat.

This trench club was featured on Page 11 of Volume II of “At Arms Length: Trench Clubs and Maces” by David F. Machnicki. Please note that the attached page image from the book is copyrighted material and the use of the page is done by permission of the author. A printed copy of the page will accompany the purchase of this club. The entry reads:

“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.

This is one of the most romantic-looking trench clubs we have offered, and with the provenance of coming from the Machnicki “At Arm’s Length” collection, it will make an excellent centerpiece of any Great War collection. This is one you do not want to miss out on.

Trench raiding clubs were homemade melee weapons used by both the Allies and the Central Powers during World War I. Clubs were used during nighttime trench raiding expeditions as a quiet and effective way of killing or wounding enemy soldiers. The clubs were usually made out of wood. It was common practice to fix a metal object at the striking end (e.g. an empty Mills bomb) in order to maximize the injury inflicted. Another common design comprised a simple stave with the end drilled out and a lead weight inserted, with rows of large hobnails hammered in around its circumference. Most designs had some form of cord or leather strap at the end to wrap around the user's wrist. Bosnian soldiers serving in the Austro-Hungarian army were fond of using maces. They were also used by officers to finish enemy soldiers wounded by poison gas attacks.

Trench clubs were manufactured in bulk by units based behind the lines. Typically, regimental carpenters and metal workers would make large numbers of the same design of club. They were generally used along with other "quiet" weapons such as trench knives, entrenching tools, bayonets, hatchets and pickaxe handles – backed up with revolvers and hand grenades.