[dragoon500ly]

While bayonets had been around for centuries, World War One spawned the use of combat knives. While knives had been used by soldiers for centuries, trench warfare led to the development of what can only be called some very brutal designs.

The first US trench knife was the M1918 Trench Knife. It featured a slender, sharp-pointed 9-inch long triangular blade (little more than a sharpened spike) with a metal knuckle bow fitted with pyramidal-shaped projections. All metal parts were blued. The design was later modified by removing the projections and by bending the outer edges of the knuckle bow into two rows of five projections each. Both models were issued with a cylindrical leather scabbard with a metal throat and cartridge belt hooks. It was a servicable design, the projections allowing for a murderous punch and the blade able to punch through even the thick issue greatcoat. Its only drawback was that it could only be used in a stabbing method, it couldn't be used in a slash.

The next model was the M1918 Mark I Trench Knife. This version had a conventional 6 3/4-inch long double-edged blade and a cast bronze handle having a "brass knuckle" configuration as well as a metal "skull-crusher" pommel. It was supplied with a sheet metal scabbard with two attachment prongs. This was the more popular of the two models with over 1,232,780 being produced. While it certainly allowed for stabbing attacks, the handle did not allow for a rapid change of hands. But it was still a fearsome-appearing weapon, and by after action reports, a deadly one.