US M1918 Trench Art Knife . DWU1128

United States Theater made fighting knife. Stacked plastic handle. Made from M-1918 Trench knife. Still has the M-1918 sheath, appears to be from L.F.&C knife. Knuckle portion modified to straight grip with clear and multi-colored spacers and screw on top. A very interesting trench art knife with great character. Heavily worn and modified condition.

Additional Notes: “Theatre” spelled as in “Theatre or War” not theater like in stage acting. The Theatre made knives are a form of Trench Art made or modified by combatants or others within a Theatre of Operation during combat or war. Typically, these most often found form WW2, however, they also show up from as early as the American Civil War and through Vietnam and Desert Storm. Furthermore, this was not just an American GI thing, but also soldiers from England, Germany, Japan, and others have been linked to theatre knives and trench art. Typically, ww2 theatre knife versions are known for stacked plastics and metals handles, however, there were other designs and materials utilized including, but not limited to, cast Aluminum handles, stacked handles in the style of other famous knives, custom “sweatheart” designs, shell casings, other other battlefield type materials. These knives are interesting in their varying quality of craftsmanship and design.

The US Model 1918 Mark I Trench Knife is a WW1 era combat knife with a double-edged blade, cast-bronze knuckle guard, and distinctive “U.S. 1918” markings, designed for close-quarters trench warfare. The 1918 Mark I knife was produced before the Armistice in November of 1918, though many never reached the front lines and were stored in U.S. depots. Surplus knives were later used by U.S. Rangers and paratroopers in WW2. The knives were classified as limited standard and officially declared obsolete in January 1945

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