1918 L.F.&C. Trench Knife

Product Description: This 1918 L.F.&C. Trench Knife is an outstanding example of this iconic and very desirable weapon. The double-edged steel blade sports an even, dark finish, and shows only very minimal wear and age. The brass knuckle duster type handle retains nearly all of the original darkening, with only minimal wear to edges that shows the dull gleam of the metal. It’s neatly marked on the grip portion with “U.S. 1918” and below that, in smaller characters, “L.F.&C. 1918.” This 1918 L.F.&C. Trench Knife is complete with its original sheet metal scabbard. The scabbard retains both of the fragile original attachment prongs, and is complete, which is rare to find. The scabbard is extremely well-preserved, with only extremely minor age. It’s maker marked “L.F.&C. 1918,” matching the knife perfectly. This scarce knife displays exceptionally well, and would be tough to upgrade. The condition rates as excellent plus.

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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