Description
Product Description: Very nice example of a 1918 US Trench Knife. These Model Au Lion 1918 trench knives were designed to replace the Model 1917 trench knife and still combined all of the favorable aspects of other countries fighting knife designs into one knife, but removed the controversial triangular blade that was standard on its predecessor. These knives were developed late in 1918 and favored by troops in both World Wars. This 1918 US Trench Knife was produced in France by Aulion. The Au Lion 1918 US Trench Knife offered here exhibits an extremely nice bright steel blade with excellent cross graining. Scattered light marks with runner marks on ricasso. In standard M1918 configuration with a solid cast brass knuckle grip marked “U.S. 1918. Pleasing dark patina on the grip. The pommel nut remains tight. Complete with its original stamped steel scabbard with nice patina to finish. The scabbard on this 1918 US Trench Knife is unmarked, but both prongs remain intact with light bending, a nice feature considering that most of these are found without any prongs as they were susceptible to being bent and broken with hard use or removal from a belt. There are a few dents in the scabbard. This is a great example of a Au Lion 1918 US Trench Knife that would display nicely next to a US made trench knife.
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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