Description
Product Description: An excellent example of a seldomly encountered World War I Model OCL 1917 US Trench Knife. The Model OCL 1917 US Trench Knife were the first government issue fighting knives designed and issued to US troops during World War I and this example was produced by Oneida Cutlery who only manufactured around 10,000 of these knives compared to the over 100,000 that LF&C produced. This Model 1917 US Trench Knife is in standard Model 1917 configuration and features the signature blued triangular blade. The knife retains most of its original bluing and displays runner marks which are commonly encountered on these knives from the blade being removed from the scabbard. This example features a spiked D-guard with 10 projections, 5 on each side. The guard retains most of its original finish and is marked “U.S. / O.C.L. / 1917”. The wood grip remains intact with distinct finger grooves that exhibit handling wear and some interesting trench art with the date “1918” and letters “A.E.F.” (Allied Expeditionary Force) carved on each side of the grip making this example even more unique. This Model OCL 1917 US Trench Knife is complete with its leather scabbard. The leather scabbard body retains most of its original green paint with no major deformations but exhibits scattered scuffing from being worn on a belt. The metal scabbard fittings are intact and without damage; the lower drag is marked with “M.S”. Scabbard is also marked “JEWELL 1918”. This is a very nice example of a Model OCL 1917 US Trench Knife that was produced by the rare maker Oneida Cutlery. A scarce and desirable fighting knife worthy of an advanced collection.
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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