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 Mk. 1 knuckle knife in 1918. Produced by the legendary Landers, Frary, & Clark of New Britain, CT, it featured a double edge dagger spearpoint blade, a cast darkened bronze handle with integral finger loop “knuckles”, additional “spikes” on those knuckles for added punishment to a foe, and a “skull crusher” pommel. The Mk. 1 knuckle knife was also carried by US troops in the early days of WW2, especially by paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division in Sicily. This US Army USMC Marine WW1 WW2 LF&C M-1918 Mk. 1 Trench Fighting Knuckle Knife is in Very Good Condition, with two chips in the middle bottom blade edge, some light sharpening and nicking to both blade edges, some light scratching, scabbard wear, and spot patina at each side of the blade, some light scattered verdigris patina to the guard and handle, and with some light overall age wear evident. Otherwise, the knife is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it features a 6 5/8” double edge dagger spearpoint blade that retains approximately 95% of the crisp, original blued (black oxide) finish, sports the classic, crisp cast darkened bronze handle with integral finger loop “knuckles” with “spikes”, and is “U.S.” stamped at the right side of that handle, along with the model year, “1918”, and its maker and date, “L.F&C-1918”. It boasts the original blackened steel “skull crusher pommel”, and is complete with the original US WW1 WW2 LF&C M-1918 Mk. 1 Scabbard in Very Good Condition, with a small spot dent in the upper left front body, some leftward bending to the prong at the upper front, some loosening to both prongs at front, and with some scattered scratching, finish abrading, spot patina, and age wear evident. Otherwise, the scabbard is in fine shape, with absolutely no cracking or other damage to the tough steel construction, which retains approximately 70% of the original blued (black oxide) finish. Most interestingly, it’s marked at the front throat with its matching maker and date, “L.F.&C. / 1918”, bears the original darkened brass securing prongs at front, and the set is a fine example of a very rare, original US Army USMC Marine WW1 WW2 LF&C M-1918 Mk. 1 Trench Fighting Knuckle Knife.