Original Item: One-of-a-kind. A combat knife is a fighting knife designed solely for military use and primarily intended for hand-to-hand or close combat fighting.

Since the end of trench warfare, most military combat knives have been secondarily designed for utility use (clearing foliage, chopping branches for cover, opening ammunition crates, etc.) in addition to their original role as close-quarter combat weapons, and may be referred to as "fighting-utility knives." On the other hand, military knives that are intended primarily for use in a role other than combat are typically referred to by their primary role, such as "utility knife" or "survival knife".

This example of a fighting knife was made by Williams Cutlery Company, with their stamp still able to be clearly read on the blade. This knife is in very good condition with some scratches and patina on the blade surfaces from being used and still retains a sharp edge. The stacked leather handle is in great solid shape with minor scuffs and no play in the handle. The ricasso is marked with the maker, WILLIAMS CUTLERY CO.. The pommel is marked/etched as shown with the original owners service number, or knife’s serial number. The marking is as followed: K9347.

The leather sheath, which is original to the knife, is still in good condition with the typical rub and wear marks on the front, sides and bottom. The bottom of the sheath has a small hole in it and seems like it would have been made if the knife was put back in the sheath in correctly, punching a hole in it. The back side of the sheath has the expected worn look to it after years of being continuously carried. Almost all of the darkened finished is gone, exposing the leather. On the top of the backside, on the belt securing slots, is the same number that’s on the pommel of the knife. It is also K9347. The sheath still retains the original leather leg securing strap coiled up and attached to the bottom of it, still tightly wrapped with no damage.

The overall condition is great due to the age and the nature of which this style of knife was intended for. A welcomed addition to any military collection!

Measurements:
Blade Length:6 inches
Handle Length: 4 ½ inches
Blade Width: 1 inch
Handle Width: 1 inch
Total Length: 10 ½ inches
Sheath Length:11 inches

A fighting knife has a blade designed most effectively to inflict injury in short-range physical confrontation. The combat knife and the trench knife are examples of military fighting knives.

Fighting knives were traditionally designed as special-purpose weapons, intended primarily if not solely for use in personal or hand-to-hand combat. This singleness of purpose originally distinguished the fighting knife from the field knife, fighting utility knife, or in modern usage, the tactical knife. The tactical knife is a knife with one or more military features designed for use in extreme situations, which may or may not include a design capability as a fighting or combat weapon. Since World War I, the fighting knife in military service has gradually evolved into a dual-purpose or "fighting-utility" knife, suited for both knife fighting and utility roles. As a consequence, the terms "fighting knife" and "tactical knife" are frequently employed interchangeably.