Robbins of Dudley Style Push Knife

Product Description: This Robbins of Dudley Style Push Knife is a very nice example of a rarely encountered knife. This unusual weapon was made for stabbing an enemy from behind, in contrast to the more typical cut-and-thrust trench knife style. It measures 7 3/4 inches long overall (tip to back of grip). The double-edged blade is made of steel, and is clean, with light traces of wear and age. The handle is made of cast aluminum. There is a single brass rivet at the point where the blade connects to the cast handle. The handle shows only extremely slight wear. There is no maker mark. This Robbins of Dudley Style Push Knife comes with a leather scabbard that is likely a post-period addition. The scabbard is made of brown leather, neatly stitched, with a single retaining strap with snap. Overall, this very rare and desirable knife remains in excellent condition.

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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