1918 trench knife

[Dimis]

anyone know where to get real or at least good reproduction of the M1918 Trench Knife?

also i have seen a few pictures of these models with a spike in place of the blade (not the model 1917 but a true to spec 1918 with a spike) are these modified by soldiers or were they issued that way or maybe just false repros that got it all messed up
if they are real anyone know where to get one of those as well?

 

[hso]

You can purchase originals from antique knife dealers and militaria dealers.

 

[Dimis]

HSO any links because localy theres not really anything around me unless i travel more than its worth

 

[Hungry Seagull]

THose are very dangerous weapons. That is all I have to say about that. You will know one when you see it.

 

[Searcher1970]

Check out this guy http://www.plowshareforge.com/ he might be able to make you one.

 

[Dimis]

also i have seen a few pictures of these models with a spike in place of the blade (not the model 1917 but a true to spec 1918 with a spike) are these modified by soldiers or were they issued that way or maybe just false repros that got it all messed up

any answers on this yet?

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I know of an orginal in my family. And no I dont have pictures of it. All I can say is that the blade is dual edged, a foot long at least, has a bayonet lug on one part of the hand grip and the other side of the handgrip is a large thick brass forging that has.. small pyrimads along it's length to assist in punching the enemy in the face. Brass knuckles with huge very huge mass and strenth.

Maybe one day many years from now I might inherit it, but until then that is all Im willing to say here about it. It is a most impressive close quarters trench weapon of it's day. There were alot of very.. hard and tough men in those days.

 

[hso]

All three of these are real and in the $500 to $700 range. The spikes preceded the blade type.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

Ah yes, there the beauties are.

 

[rcmodel]

There were two models of trench knives issued during WWI.

The Model 1917-1918 Trench Knife design was submitted by Landers Frary & Clark Co. and made by them and Oneida Community Ltd.
They had a folded sheet metal spiked knuckle guard, walnut handle, and triangular spike 9" blade.

The other and later one was the U.S. Mark 1 trench knife.

It had a cast brass handle & knuckle guard, and 6 3/4" double edge dagger blade. The first ones were made in France by Au-Lion.
Later production commenced in the U.S. with knives made by Landers Frary & Clark, Oneida Community, and Henry Disston & Sons.

Both designs included a spike skull crusher pommel.

They can often be found on eBay and command high prices.

There is a cheap copy of the Mk 1 being sold. It has a similar design but the blade is made of highly polished stainless steel so it would be hard to confuse one with an original.

rc

 

[hso]

There are also junk bladed knockoffs of the 1917 as well.

 

[Sunray]

Check your local laws regarding brass knuckles. Some places, like up here, see only the knuckles and 'trench knives' are evil because of 'em.

 

[Dimis]

wow im starting to think no one reads what the OP says they just type at random once they see a little bit
i specificly said i have seen pictures of "1918" trnch knives with a spike
i may not be a knife expert but i do know the difference between the 18 and the 17

 

[2RCO]

Dimis I am gonna assume those are Brit Issues from the pic.

 

[hso]

Demis,

There were no "1918" trench knives with a spike. They came with a dagger blade. "Theater knives" were made from them at times, troops with time on their hands will alter knives from a minor extent like changing out handle materials or even swapping blades and grips and guards around to even making whole new parts to combine to whole new knives.

Your picture of a spike knuckle duster knife is not a US model 1918 trench knife. All 1918 model trench knives made in the US were marked "1918" and "US" on the grip and they had dagger blades.

2RCO's point is that the "broad arrow" marking on the handle would indicate it is UK military issue in origin, but I'm even skeptical of that.
It may be a "clever" fake to dupe some unsuspecting person out of their money believing that it is a "real" model 1918.

 

[Dimis]

2RCO and HSO
THANK YOU!
i apreciate all the help people try and give on these forums but sometimes i feel no one listens to the question BEFORE they try to answer
i probably should have posted the picture first but i was pretty sure the description would have been enough

 

[hso]

Demis,

The confusing part of your description was that it was of a knife that wasn't a "true to spec 1918" since the model 1918 wasn't made with a spike. A "true to spec" 1918 would have had the "US" and "1918" markings that were shown in the Au Lion version 1918 picture I provided. The picture confirms that it isn't a US model 1918.

 

[arcticap]

From the good old days...
Landers, Frary & Clark, New Britain, Connecticut.
Thanks for showing them.

 

[RBJinAtl]

Dimis, did you find the knife you were looking for? I have a blade US1918 on brass knuck handle. Mark on the blade is AU LION and has the resting lion stamp. Brass was sand cast. If you are still looking get in touch!