Featured WW1 Trench Knife

Here are some of my collection including my father-in-laws trench knife from the pacific theater where he was a seabee.

 

That’s a really nice collection and the trench knife looks to be in really good condition the swords and two other knives are also sweet, thank you for sharing them. I’ve got and old K-Bar with a sheath that has similar handles someplace to the two on either side of the trench knife hidden away in the garage I’ll have to unearth it when I have time.

 

My husband was with the Seabees for 27 years. Do you know what unit your father-in-law was in?

 

As for OP's post - I don't think you can determine whether it's original or a repro online. You'll have to get it validated in person. I have stuff that belonged to my parents, but it doesn't mean it's old because it was owned by a grandparent. I don't mean to sound disparaging, but having been in the business as long as I have (68 years) I know looks and family lore don't always tell the whole story. I stared helping out in my Dad's second hand store when I was 8. He never learned to read so I kept the log book for him.

 

Bev-68 years in the biz is quite a record ! What might I ask is the most amazing piece (or pieces) you've seen in that time ?

 

My grandfather was 94 when he passed in 1984, he retired in the 1960’s and would have acquired the knife sometime before then, it was found by me among his tools in the garage. I don’t know when this type of knife became collectible enough to warrant knock off versions, but I’d guess it was still easy to find one if you wanted one. Not to say knock off similar design knives weren’t made they probably were as soon as the originals appeared, but not to the standards to be an exact copy. The key points on this knife are exact as they should be, The patination is natural.

WAYS OF TELLING WHETHER A 1918 TRENCH KNIFE IS REAL
A 1918 trench knife’s replicas can be surprisingly convincing as most counterfeit experts artificially age them to look like the real thing. However, there are ways you can tell if a trench knife is real or not by carefully looking at some of the markings, fonts, and external indicators. Without further ado, here are some tricks to get an idea about the authenticity of a 1918 trench knife:

Pay close attention to fonts: An authentic ww1 trench knife made in 1918 will have the text “US 1918” carved into it. This text is carved in the handle region of the knife in almost the same spot for each example. Since this mark of identification is present on every trench knife, it is an excellent way to gauge the authenticity of a knife.

If a knife doesn’t have this text on its blade, it should be an instant red flag. However, if the font is carved into the knife’s handle, then you should look at the finishing of the font. An authentic knife will have a well-finished, smooth font carved into it. On the other hand, a knockoff will have rough and uneven carvings that indicate that it wasn’t made to military standards.

Lastly, the font carved on a real knife will also be worn out to some extent due to the age of the item. However, the worn-out font shouldn’t be confused with a fake rough font. Age affects the shine and depth of the carving, but a real knife will retain the font’s smoothness.

Look at the trademark of the knife: The 1918 trench knife usually came in two variants one was called the Au Lion, and the second one was the L. F & C variant. These variants have their trademarks stamped at different locations on the knife.

While the Au Lion had the trademark at the blade’s ricasso, the L. F & C had it on the handle below the “US 1918” font. The Au Lion trademark is supposed to be lighter than the surrounding color on the blade. However, the LF & C trademark is darker than the surrounding color on the handle.

Another thing to notice about the trademark placement is that original knives have the trademarks in the center of the ricasso and the handle. Whether it is the L. F & C. mark or the Au Lion one, it will be aligned in the middle in the case of an authentic knife.

Signs of wear: An authentic 1918 trench knife will likely have seen at least some action on the battlefield. Therefore, an original example will likely have signs of wear, such as scratches, chips, and grooves along the blade or the handle. However, a replica recently made to mimic the real knife will be pristine. The natural oxidation process will cause an original knife to develop at least some dark spots. On the other hand, a replica will likely look polished and shiny, indicating that it was made recently.

Material of the blade: WW trench knives were known for their strength and rigidity. These knives owe their durability to their carbon steel construction, which makes them resistant to damage. The high-strength carbon steel requires expertise and time to forge. Therefore, you should always ensure that a 1918 trench knife is made of high-carbon steel when evaluating its authenticity.

Unlike modern steel alloys, high carbon steel has a slightly dull finish that can turn matt after the knife is worn out. So if you see a trench knife made out of any steel other than carbon steel, you should steer clear of it. Most replicas with shiny, smooth metal finishes are made of modern steel, making them easy to spot.

High price tags: One straightforward method of determining whether a trench knife is real is by looking at its price tag. A ww1 trench knife is rare; therefore, you won’t find an authentic example listed for anything less than $1000. Considering their collectability and rich history, it wouldn’t be surprising to find these knives listed for even more.

On the other hand, a cheap replica of the trench knife can go for as low as $30, and if you find a knife listed for such low prices, it is a fake.

The 1917 trench knives are less sought after than the 1918 version, and even they are listed for thousands of dollars. So if a trench knife deal seems too good to be true, it is likely fake.



Get expert help: Sometimes, a fake can be difficult to spot, and the only solution is to turn to the experts for a definitive answer. Luckily, you can post the images and other details of a 1918 trench knife in online forums dedicated to antique knives. The knife experts on these forums can help you identify whether the knife you are dealing with is fake or real. US Militaria Forum is one reputed forum that can offer help regarding a 1918 trench knife.

In addition to online forums, you can contact knife experts to help identify a fake trench knife.


The US made versions were made with bronze handles, the bronze on this handle has developed a small amount of natural patination.


Examples of authentic knives

 

"
Signs of wear: An authentic 1918 trench knife will likely have seen at least some action on the battlefield. Therefore, an original example will likely have signs of wear, such as scratches, chips, and grooves along the blade or the handle. "


That sounds nice.............. but this specialized Forum, seems to have other ideas..

https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/298682-seeking-information-on-trench-knife/

you should read it maybe........... to see what some "experts" say.......

like this.......

"It's uncertain if the American version saw action, since by the time shipments arrived in Europe, the war ended.

The French version definitely was used in combat. In the 1920's, the US1917/18 spike blade knives were sold off as surplus, and many of the Mark One models were also sold."

So, signs of wear on the US version........... those may be on the fakes ... to throw off folks who think these knives were all used to gut the enemy...!!

 

grandpa could have received this blade at anytime during his mature lifetime ..........

 

Thanks for posting, I remember now reading that tidbit someplace years ago about the American version being late to the party, the condition of my knife is consistent with this information as are other verified examples sold at auction so I wasn’t too worried about the lack of wear I just assumed it was unused but thank you again this is helpful info I’d forgotten.

 

Of course, but pretty unlikely after retirement and certainly not after 1977 both my aunts passed in the early 60’s and my Dad passed in 77, gramps was 87 by then and definitely no longer collecting.

besides I’ve had the knife out for inspection a number of times in the past there was never any question of authenticity.

 

Bev, We have no idea what unit but do know that he served in the Aleutians then south to other parts of the pacific theater. was from Pennsylvania (penargyl) and last name budge. I will try to get some more info later

 

I just found my fathers unit...... ........ keep digging and good luck !

 

I never suggested it was a fake......only an uncertain time line for acquisition..

 

WOW. Nice piece!

 

There is a Seabee Museum in Davisville, RI, home of the Seabees. It was Camp Endicott in WWII. My husband donated one of his uniforms when they first started it. If you ever have memorabilia that you don't end up keeping or selling, they'd be happy to have it.