BACKGROUND: The standard issue bayonets of WWI were found by most troops to be too long and heavy to make a good combat knife which resulted in 1915 with the development of smaller blade weapons for use in hand-to-hand fighting. The close combat, or trench knife, saw wide spread use during WWI and came in both ordnance issue and private purchase, with numerous variations.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A 5 1/2" non-fullered blade with a long swedge. The blade is in very nice condition and shows sharpening which you expect to see on a combat blade with some light spotting. The nicely grained, natural wood grips are secured by two flat headed rivets. The grips has the typical nine diagonally angled grooves to each side, for a better grip. The sheet metal scabbard retains 97% of its original black enameled paint. The reverse top edge of the scabbard has two rivets securing a vertical leather belt loop leather retaining strap with a snap closure riveted to its forward face. Waffen-ampt mark to the blade. Very nice example.

GRADE ****                                                     PRICE $215.00