Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very fine service-worn 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 grip marked U.S. 1918 and is accompanied by an American-made L.F. & C. 1918 steel scabbard, now missing both belt prongs.

The Model 1918 Mark I was developed during the final year of WWI as a purpose-built fighting knife for close combat. To speed delivery to the American Expeditionary Forces, early examples were procured from the French firm associated with the AU LION trademark before American production followed. French examples are readily distinguished by their reclining lion blade marking, rougher brass grip casting, and several small construction differences from later U.S.-made versions.

The 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 (Reclining Lion) / AU LION. The blade mark is only about 5% retained, with only the very top of the lion’s head visible. This brass grip of the knife is clearly marked: U. S. 1918. 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 all sides of the hilt.

The 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 & verdigris. The “skullcrusher” pommel cap is fairly oxidized and is not currently movable.

The 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 marked LF&C 1918 over the throat. Both of the belt prongs are now gone, and there is some oxidation in spots across it.

The combination of the French AU LION blade, heavily worn reclining-lion trademark, U.S. 1918 ungrooved brass knuckle grip, aged patina and verdigris, fixed skullcrusher pommel, full-profile double-edged blade, and L.F. & C. 1918 steel scabbard makes this a strong representative example of the Model 1918 Mark I. The possible hilt sanding, blade oxidation and sharpening, fixed pommel, scattered scabbard corrosion, and missing belt prongs are the principal condition issues, while the scarce French manufacture and correctly marked American scabbard remain its defining collector features.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 6 3/4"
Blade Style: Double Edged Dagger
Overall length: 11 1/2“
Guard: 4" long x 3 3/4" wide
Scabbard Length: 7 ⅛”