US 1918
While discussing mil surp's and the recent gun show over coffe the other day my boss mentioned he had this brass knuckle knife passed on to him from his great uncle who was in WWI. He has had it for some 34 years now. I expressed interest in it and he brought it to work for me to take a look. What can yo guys tell us about it? What's a fair price?
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Since the photos ignore the marking on the blade, which would make identification very easy, I'll have to take a guess. It "looks" like the Au Lion knife, which was a French made Model 1918 produced under contract for the US Army during WWI and also appears to have the French made scabbard. These French knives are more common and somewhat less desirable than the US made variations of the same knife. Since you have the knife in front of you; take a look at the blade and if it looks like there is a lion on it then that is what you've got. 0 -
Yes there is a Lion on the blade, you can just make it out in the one picture. The close-up I took came out blurry. Unfortunetly he has taken it home. And left me with only the pictures. 0 -
Looks like I can still spot them!
I checked on the Gun Broker auctions and no one has a Model 1918 trench knife listed for sale so you are more or less on your own as to value. While there have been numerous copies of the US made Model 1918 knives, as far as I know no one has ever made a copy of the French Au Lion Model 1918, so that knife is quite likely the real deal.0 -
30Remngton......you have, as Mark has identified, a French Au Lion/Society General WWI trench knife. It was US issue but LF&C, a US company in Conn made it also. The American knife is a bit larger or the French knife but most likely was not used in Europe as the war ended so quickly but the French Au Lion was used. The scabbard is rare as it is a bit filmsy and the French scabbard is iron but plated to prevent rust (but really didn't work) and the two prongs are welded and tend to break off. Also, the pommel "Headknocker" in the french model is eight sided and the US LF&C is four sided. I have several of each and the US model is better made IMHO. That the one that you mention has its history well established which helps value. I have seen fakes of the US model but not of the French so it is most likely the real deal. As to value, with the documented history, correct scabbard and blade in good shape, I would put its value at $400+, even in this down market. Hope this helps[:D] 0 -
30Rem- email to you. 0 -
Thanks for the replies, looks like a little more research is in order. Any books or other sources of info? 0
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