Original Item: Only One Available. The U.S. Model 1918 Mark I Trench Knife was the second major "Knuckle Knife" to be officially adopted and issued to the US military. It was developed for use in the horrific trench warfare that typified the stalemate on the Western Front during the latter part of World War One and saw use not only there, but during World War Two as well. The knife was manufactured in the United States by Henry Disston & Sons (H.D. & S.) as well as Landers, Frary & Clark (L.F. & C.) and Oneida Community Ltd (O.C.L.).

The knives were also produced in France and are marked with the usual 1918 and US marks, as well as Au Lion on the blade. Whether this mark was a maker's mark or simply a motto is not known. The U.S. M-1918 Mark I Trench Knife is easily identifiable due to its large "brass knuckle" style guard and grip. The knives were 11 ¾" in overall length, with a 6 ¾" dagger style blade. The brass grips were marked U.S. 1918 and with the makers name or initials.

As originally issued, U.S. made knives were entirely blackened; both the blades and the brass knuckle hilts. French-made knives had bright blades, and much less blackening on the hilt. These knives remained in use with the US military, classified as limited standard (secondary issue) through January of 1945, when the knives were officially classified as obsolete. The knives were carried in a blued sheet steel scabbard that was typically maker marked, and was equipped with a pair of wire tabs that were intended to engage the US pistol web belt, but never fit properly so various belts and rigs were used or the scabbards were replaced with more usable ones. Many of the knives issued during World War II ended up in substitute leather scabbards of various designs and styles, many of which were "theater made".

The example of the U.S. Model 1918 Mark I Trench Knife offered here is one that saw service long after WWI, and looks to have been reconditioned for use during the Vietnam War. The original blade was damaged or unserviceable, and was replaced with a newly made blade, which looks to possibly be made from stainless steel. It was then fitted into a slightly modified Vietnam issue M8A1 belt scabbard, and saw service once again.

This brass grip of the knife is marked: U. S. 1918, with no manufacturer mark, as is correct for the French made hilts. As is usually the case with the AU LION marked knives, the cast brass grip is much rougher and cruder than the US made versions. As is also typical of the French made knives, the knuckle points are also less defined and not as sharp as the US made knives. The brass knuckle grip looks to have been cleaned and then painted black, though the black paint has now mostly worn away. Due to the cleaning the markings are somewhat faint.

The replacement blade is bright and shiny, with little sign of wear or use. The knife may have been reconditioned more as a memento or collector's item than as a usable weapon. The original skull crusher pommel nut was also replaced with a newly produced one, which also looks to be stainless steel.

Comes complete with an OD green fiber scabbard marked U.S. M8A1 / PWH, offered in very good condition. This design features a a fiberglass body, metal throat, and canvas frog and securing strap, with a metal tip on the bottom of the scabbard. To accommodate the wider blade of the trench knife, the plastic throat insert was removed.

This is a post WWII issue scabbard, most likely from 60s. It has The darker OD green frog, and greater space between the throat and frog. The PWH marking most likely indicates it was made at the "Pennsylvania Working Home" for the blind. WWII and the Korean war had left many servicemen with eye injuries, and at that time, there were no computers or other advanced devices for assisting the blind. To help them out, the government opened up factories where they would work, often making military support items. 

Overall this is a very nice example of a WWI Era Trench knife, which saw service long after the war. Very interesting and ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 6 5/8"
Blade Style: Double Edged Dagger
Overall length: 11 1/2“
Guard: 4" long x 3 1/2" wide
Scabbard Length: 7 1/4" with belt loop