M1918 LF&C Trench Knife w/ Scabbard

Product Description:  A highly desirable and well-preserved 1918 L.F.& C. Trench Knife with Scabbard, representing one of the most iconic American edged weapons of the First World War era. The double-edged steel blade exhibits even wear throughout, presenting an honest appearance consistent with wartime service and age. The blade surface shows expected signs of use and handling, lending the piece a period character often sought by collectors. The brass knuckle-duster style grip retains only traces of its original blackened finish and is clearly stamped on the grip with “U.S. 1918,” with the maker’s mark “L.F.&C. 1918” struck beneath in smaller characters.

This 1918 L.F.& C. Trench Knife with Scabbard is accompanied by its original sheet metal scabbard, which remains complete with both of its fragile attachment prongs intact—an increasingly uncommon feature on surviving examples. The scabbard shows light corrosion and loss of much of the original blackened finish due to age and service, yet remains structurally sound and well preserved overall. The throat is neatly marked “L.F.&C. 1918,” matching the knife. A scarce and highly collectible wartime example that displays exceptionally well and would be difficult to improve upon, offered in excellent overall condition.

Historical Description: The first official U.S. trench knife adopted for service issue was the U.S. M1917 trench knife. It was designed by Henry Disston & Sons and based off examples of trench knives that were in service with the French Army at that time. The M1917 featured a triangular stiletto blade, wooden grip, metal knuckle guard, and a rounded pommel. The M1917 proved unsatisfactory in service, and a slightly improved version, the M1918, was adopted within months. Despite this, the M1918 is almost identical to the M1917, differing primarily in the construction and appearance of the knuckle guard. Usable only as stabbing weapons, the M1917 and M1918 frequently suffered broken blades. Their limited utility and general unpopularity caused the AEF to empanel a testing board in 1918, to test various trench knives and select a replacement.

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