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. This US Army USMC Marine WW1 WW2 A.C. Co. M-1917 Trench Fighting Knuckle Knife is in Very Good Condition, with some scratching, scabbard wear, and finish abrading at each side of the blade, some scattered finish abrading and patina to the guard, some light nicking, scratching, and scuffing to the handle, and with some light overall age wear evident. Most interestingly, it features a 9” triangular spike blade that retains approximately 65% of the original blued finish, sports the classic bowed steel “D” guard with two rows of 5 flanged knuckles down the middle, and is stamped “U.S.A.” at the interior middle of that guard, along with its maker, “A.C. CO.” (American Cutlery Company of Chicago, Illinois), and the date, “1917”. It boasts the original, mellow “finger grip” walnut handle, carries the original steel pommel nut, and is complete with the original US WW1 Jewell M-1917 Metal Reinforced Leather Scabbard in Excellent Condition, with some light scratching to the leather body, some light patina to the metal throat and end tip, and with some light scattered age wear evident. Most interestingly, it bears the classic darkened metal reinforced throat and end tip, the former of which carries a fully intact darkened brass wire hanger at the upper back, exhibits a crisp OD finished leather body, and is lightly stamped at the upper left back of that body with its maker and date, “JEWELL 1918”. This scabbard for the M-1917 knuckle duster is even more difficult to acquire today than the knife, especially in this high condition. The set is a beautiful example of a very rare, original US Army USMC Marine WW1 WW2 A.C. Co. M-1917 Trench Fighting Knuckle Knife.