{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwi-model-1918-french-made-mark-i-trench-knife-by-au-lion-with-correct-steel-scabbard-7","title":"Original U.S. WWI Model 1918 French Made Mark I Trench Knife by AU LION with Correct Steel Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very fine service-used example of the famous U.S. Model 1918 Mark I Trench Knife, manufactured in France under American contract and bearing the desirable AU LION reclining-lion trademark on the blade. It retains its characteristic cast brass knuckle guard marked U.S. 1918 together with the correct French-pattern metal scabbard with both belt attachment prongs still present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u0026amp; Sons (H.D. \u0026amp; S.) as well as Landers, Frary \u0026amp; Clark (L.F. \u0026amp; C.) and Oneida Community Ltd (O.C.L.).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe knives were also produced in France and are marked with the usual 1918 and US marks, as well as Au Lion on the blade. In order to save time in getting the new knife to troops in the field, the first Mark I trench knives were procured from a French manufacturer, Au Lion (Au Lion\/Société Générale, France). 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 maker's name or initials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe example of the U.S. Model 1918 Mark I Trench Knife offered here is in very good service-used condition. The knife is one of the French made examples which is marked on the reverse ricasso with a \u003cb\u003e(Reclining Lion) \/ AU LION\u003c\/b\u003e. The blade mark is about 95% retained, rare to see. This brass grip of the knife is clearly marked: \u003cb\u003eU. S. 1918\u003c\/b\u003e. As is usually the case with the AU LION marked knives, the cast brass grip is rougher and cruder than the US made versions, with some verdigris residue as shown. 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. There may have been some sanding done to the top of the crossguard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe French made grips are cast with a variety of minor differences, and this one is cast without the two grooves along the top edge of the grip. The brass knuckle grip has a lovely brass color with a heavy amount of patina, and spots of oxidation \u0026amp; verdigris. The “skullcrusher” pommel cap is in good order and is still unscrewable to remove the blade. This set may have been married at some point, but we cannot say for sure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blades of most of the AU LION knives were produced in the white, with no finish on the blade. There is some moderate oxidation spotting as shown, but no visible edge nicks! There is minor sharpening along the edge as shown. The steel scabbard is in great condition, and unlike most examples still has both belt prongs intact, although they are a bit dented. There is a fair bit of denting to the scabbard as shown. The scabbard retains a black paint that may be the original finish, but there is some heavy chipping of the paint along the edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overall construction of the scabbard is more simple than the US made scabbards. This example does have some heavy dents, as these were made from much thinner steel than the US version, and the construction is less robust. Both of the prongs are intact as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is especially desirable for the combination of its strongly retained reclining lion \/ AU LION blade marking, U.S. 1918 cast brass grip, ungrooved French grip variation, bright double-edged blade, and correct lightweight French-pattern metal scabbard retaining both belt hooks. The oxidation, sharpening, grip patina, verdigris, scabbard dents, and finish loss document considerable handling and age while leaving all of the principal identifying characteristics intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt approximately 11½ inches overall, this is a particularly complete example of the French-contract Model 1918 Mark I and an excellent representative of one of the most distinctive American fighting-knife designs developed during the First World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecifications:\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 6 3\/4\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Double Edged Dagger\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 11 1\/2“\u003cbr\u003eGuard: 4\" long x 3 3\/4\" wide\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 7 ¼”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45690980270149,"sku":"ONJR26AURA53","price":1695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/9CA7E572-51FA-4A5E-A1BF-37A322C4F31B.jpg?v=1788545298","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwi-model-1918-french-made-mark-i-trench-knife-by-au-lion-with-correct-steel-scabbard-7","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}