Robbins of Dudley Fighting Knife

Product Description: This Robbins of Dudley Fighting Knife is a very nice and impressive example of a hard to find knife. This is one of the patterns of fighting knives manufactured by the English firm Robbins of Dudley during the First World War. The double-edged blade comes to a sharp point, and shows only minimal age, with no damage. The contoured, cast aluminum handle exhibits only very light wear, and is marked on the pommel with the “Robbins Dudley” maker mark. The steel knuckle guard sports a very slight patina. This Robbins of Dudley Fighting Knife is complete with its original scabbard, which is rare to find. The scabbard is made of brown leather, with a loop allowing it to be worn on a belt, and an intact retaining strap with stud. The leather scabbard is nice, with typical toning from age and wear. All of the original stitching is intact, and there is no damage. This is a choice example of this desirable weapon, in excellent condition overall.

Historical Description: During the first World War, “trench knives” became a fixture for combatants on both sides. These weapons were developed for the reality of hand to hand, close quarters combat that was a grisly part of trench fighting. The first knives were field expedient products using improvised designs, fabricated by unit workshops or by the soldiers themselves. The French began mass production of trench knives early on, and these designs proved influential; the US military would later introduce various models based on the French designs. Germans created their own sturdy cut-and-thrust knives, in designs which remained in use through the end of WWII. Commonwealth troops used a number of different types, including several different standardized varieties. The designs of WWI trench knives were extremely numerous and varied and ranged from commercial type Bowie knives to simple weapons made from the stakes used to hang barbed wire. Push daggers and stilleto-type knives also saw use. Fighting knives were used alongside other types of “quiet” and melee weapons including clubs and hatchets. WWI trench knives are avidly collected today for their historical value.

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