Sold for $1,440
6.75" bright double-edged blade length with pronounced median ridge on both sides. 4.125" cast brass hilt. About 11.5" overall with hilt. WWI-era US Model 1918 trench knife with sand cast brass hilt with two grooves along the top edge of the grip, showing rough tooling marks and some darkened areas under guard and around knuckle points. Hilt cast with U.S. 1918 into the right side. Blade with a deeply stamped recumbent lion mark on the obverse ricasso, typical of the French-made "Au Lion" knives, thus the name applied to this pattern. Capstan nut is the correct four-sided version. Includes the correct pattern sheet iron scabbard which is missing both of the prongs for attachment to the US cartridge belt's grommets. These knives were produced in France during World War I and the blades and scabbards were inspired by the French "Avenger" trench knife. These are the only brass knuckle US WWI fighting knives that might have seen service in the Great War, and today they are much less commonly encountered than their American-made LF&C brethren. A fine condition example overall.
Very good to near fine. Blade chipped at the tip, missing the very point of the knife, likely no more than .125" missing. Blade with some surface oxidation and scattered discoloration as well as some minor scuffing and light scratching. Scabbard good to very good, moderately oxidized with scattered surface discoloration and minor roughness, showing traces of finish. Metal with dents and dings, both belt prongs are missing. Overall a solid and authentic example.