WWI US 1918 Trench Knife - Au Lion French made....the real deal!!

[Muss Muggins]

Very nice. The blade on mine is not in as fine condition as yours, but the Au Lion lion on mine is sharper and more defined. I'll try to add a couple pictures tonight . . .

 

[30-30remchester]

The point at the end of the handle reminds me of the point on one of those emergency car glass break hammer tools. I guess it would do a job on a skull.
Steve W

That is exactly what they were used for. These points on the back of the handle were known as "skull crackers".

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Inspired by HARDWARE's post.....

Some additional photos of my US Made 1918 Trench Knife and some other WWI gear that might be of interest......Enjoy!

Yes, that is an original projectile complete with timer dials......and the .45 ACP ammo is dated 1918 military issue.

 

[mauser9]

Man the Trench knife is one nasty lookin pig sticker!! Have seen repros advertised for sale but not sure how legal they are to pack around in certain areas. Bet N.Y.C would frown on someone who had one strapped on his belt. LOL

 

[SRT]

OUTSTANDING! I hit the "LIKE" button with my mouse on full-auto, but it would only let me post one!

 

[ameridaddy]

Thought you might enjoy this blast from the past......

You have a real beauty there, especially with the scabbard, which is very rare!

This is my grandfather's Au Lion knife, used in France during his 18 months overseas with the 42nd (Rainbow) Division in WW1. Note it has been sharpened considerably and is not only good for smashing and stabbing, but sharp enough to be a wicked slasher too.

As I understand it, the longer, triangular-bladed knuckle knife was the earlier version, a 1917 LF&C. It was made from repurposed French Lebel bayonets, and was not effective, hence the French 1918 Au Lion and the same looking American LF&C 1918.


During the 48 hours of July 15-17 1918, he was in a trench mortar battery that had seven waves of German infantry pass over it in the last German offensive of the war. An Indiana artillery observer said "…Our trench mortar battery, composed of volunteers from Baltimore, has been knocked completely out of commission during the fight. They had been put in front of the main line of trenches from whence they fought the advancing Germans until they were out of ammunition, out of guns, and out of men." The French command credited the 117th Trench Mortar Battery, at about 150 men and officers, the smallest unit in the Rainbow, with killing 2,400 German infantrymen and destroying 25% of their tanks. I suspect his Au Lion was put to use there.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Here's mine. Apologies in advance for my not so great photography . . .

 

[Watchdog]

Some additional photos of my US Made 1918 Trench Knife and some other WWI gear that might be of interest......Enjoy!

Yes, that is an original projectile complete with timer dials......and the .45 ACP ammo is dated 1918 military issue.

Tell us about the old Colt, please?

 

[ameridaddy]

thats great. i was lookin for one of those back when i was putting this 1917 rig together. never found the right one, but i did later pick up a bolo.
/QUOTE]
Bolo knives were used to good effect in WW1 trenches too. See Henry Johnson's story; he used a bolo knife like yours.
Remembering Henry Johnson, the Soldier Called “Black Death”
|
History | Smithsonian

 

[HARDWARE]

good story. those bolo's are no joke. thats one big heavy knife

 

[ky wonder]

I recently saw one of the iron knukles sell at auction with correct sheath in went 4 figures so if you run up on one cheap, grap it quick

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Tell us about the old Colt, please?

The Colt 1911 in the photograph is 100% original and not an arsenal rebuild.
I was fortunate enough to purchase it from a good friend in the Seattle area who purchased it back in the 1960's for under $100.

Not sure it's visible in the photo, but there is a lanyard loop on not only the mainspring housing but also on the magazine.

 

[eveled]

In the 80's a neighbor found a trench knife in his bathroom wall during a remodel. Stuck in a stud and sealed in by slats and plaster.

Been a Grail knife to me ever since. But all I have is a reproduction. I won't insult you with any pictures of it.

 

[jtcarm]

Remember that 80% of the casualties were due to artillery (including gas and mortars). Then you have MGs, rifles, pistols and grenades. Then you get to the hand to hand casualties, which probably amounted to a percentage point or less.

That doesn’t include non-combat casualties, which probably outnumbered the combat variety.

Still, it would really suck to be in that fraction of a percent.

As melee weapons went, the trench knife was probably somewhat pedestrian. Trench raiders not only had to cut throats & crack skulls, but clear obstacles.

Check the spine of the bayonet:

Billhook

French nail knife

Some of the nastiest were DIY jobs: