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 LF&C M-1917 Trench Fighting Knuckle Knife is in Very Good Condition, with some light finish abrading to the blade tip, some light scratching, scabbard wear, and finish abrading at each side of the blade, some scattered patina to the guard, some scattered nicking, scratching, and scuffing to the handle, and with some light overall age wear evident. Most interestingly, it features an 8 5/8” triangular spike blade that retains approximately 90% of the crisp, original blued finish, sports the classic bowed steel “D” guard with 7 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, rugged “finger grip” walnut handle, carries the original steel pommel mound, and the whole piece remains “tight as a drum”. A fine example of a very rare, original US Army USMC Marine WW1 WW2 LF&C M-1917 Trench Fighting Knuckle Knife. No sheath included.