WWI US 1918 LF&C Trench Knife

Did you know? They were commonly referred to as knuckle knives. An effective, deadly weapon was needed for soldiers to fight in close quarters combat in the trenches during World War l. The soldiers themselves were keenly aware of this urgent need long before any knife manufacturers. The first trench knives were fashioned primarily by the soldiers themselves, in the field, by shortening military issue bayonets. Eventually the first official military-issue trench knife (created by a lieutenant colonel in the French army) was introduced and designed with a heavy knuckle guard which served two extremely important functions: to protect the fingers and to provide the combatant with a deadly striking tool. Long-term durability and versatility were issues with early trench knives and in time improved versions appeared such as the popular, all-purpose K-Bar which served well as both a combat knife and a reliable utility tool.