World War 1 on the Western Front soon devolved into nightly trench raids to eliminate sentries, capture prisoners, and gather intelligence. The traditional US Army long edged weapons proved nearly useless in the narrow confines of the trenches, leading to the introduction of the M-1917 knuckle knife. It featured a triangular spike blade specifically designed to pierce heavy wool uniforms, and it was also widely carried by US troops in the early days of WW2. During the Second World War, high quality replacement brown leather scabbards were made for issue with those classic Great War vintage “knuckle dusters”. This US Army USMC Marine WW1 WW2 LF&C M-1917 Trench Fighting Knuckle Knife is in Good Condition, with moderate cleaning, scratching, and pitting at each side of the blade, some scattered spot patina at each side of the blade, all of the blued blade finish having been cleaned away long ago, nearly all of the blued finish having been cleaned away from the top and upper portion of the guard, some light roughening around the upper left edge of the handle, some scattered nicking, scratching, and darkening to the handle, and with some overall age wear evident. Otherwise, the knife is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it features an 8 15/16” triangular spike blade, sports the classic bowed steel “D” guard with 6 pyramidal knuckles down the middle, and is “U.S.” stamped with serifs at the top right end of the guard, along with its maker, “L.F. & C.” (the famous Landers Frary & Clark of New Britain, CT), and the date, “1917”. The knife boasts the original, mellow “finger grip” walnut handle, carries the original steel pommel nut, and the whole piece remains “tight as a drum”. It’s complete with the original US WW2 Replacement Brown Leather Scabbard in Good Condition, missing the top “glove” portion of the “male” handle retention snap on the right strap, rendering the system non-functional, and with moderate drying and surface cracking to the handle retention strap, some scattered scratching, spot darkening, and edge scuffing around the front, and with some overall age wear evident. Otherwise, the scabbard is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it bears an intact (though non-functional) brown leather handle retention strap, exhibits the classic rigid and triangular shaped front body cavity that distinguishes these unique scabbards, and shows an integral leather belt hanger, as well as darkened brass rivets and brownish cotton stitching down the sides. The set is a fine example of a very rare, original US Army USMC Marine WW1 WW2 LF&C M-1917 Trench Fighting Knuckle Knife.