siclfde Posted December 16, 2011 Share #1 Posted December 16, 2011 Have been collecting blades for a few years and have developed an affinity for WWI/II knuckle knives. Probably have about 75 or so. Picked one up in Allentown a few weeks ago that had a Mark 1 trench knife brass knuckle grip fastened to a bayonet blade. As I was looking at it when I got home, I realized I had several that were theater modifications with the brass Mark 1 handles. All different sizes, shapes, etc. Thought I would share some pics and see if any interest - not for sale, just to look/discuss. I'll post a group picture first and if there is any interest, will post individual close-up pics and descriptions later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted December 17, 2011 Share #2 Posted December 17, 2011 Wow! Hope I never meet you in a knife fight. Very nice collection and I'll look forward to seeing more pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nifman Posted December 17, 2011 Share #3 Posted December 17, 2011 I would love to see closeups. Is there a smatchet in the group? Dennis aka nifman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony V Posted December 17, 2011 Share #4 Posted December 17, 2011 Nice to see that others find Allentown as interesting as I do, GREAT collection and I also will be looking forward to seeing more pictures. I picked up one on sunday that had a hack saw blade with a poured aluminum handle, one of the theater knives. Congrats Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin R Posted December 17, 2011 Share #5 Posted December 17, 2011 Nice to see that others find Allentown as interesting as I do, GREAT collection and I also will be looking forward to seeing more pictures. I picked up one on sunday that had a hack saw blade with a poured aluminum handle, one of the theater knives. Congrats Tony I keep hearing people talk about shows in Allentown. I live in North Wales also, so it is not far away. Where in Allentown are they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siclfde Posted December 17, 2011 Author Share #6 Posted December 17, 2011 Ok - I have had many views and a few who expressed interest in seeing more detail. What I will do is post some close-ups and a little description of each one. Here is the first one. It is the one I picked up in Allentown. The scabbard did not come with it, but it was a perfect fit. It is the LF&C model and has a 13 inch blade. The blade is marked on the top near the guard "G.H. Osang, Dresden" and then a bunch of hallmarks as shown in pic. Little bit of rust and use, but have never seen another. More to follow as I get time - enjoy. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siclfde Posted December 17, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted December 17, 2011 Here is # 2. This doesn't have the MK1 handle, but they used a very similar mold. Brass. The flange is flattened on one side to wear easier. 7 5/8" blade is a little heavier than the normal MK1 blade. The leather scabbard is really neat as it has a fold over flap with snap closure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siclfde Posted December 17, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted December 17, 2011 #3. An Rock Island arsenal piece modified into a treench knuckle knife. Markings as pictured. Scabbard is neat as it has a belt loop piece that swivels for ease of wear. Metal scabbard sewn inside leather exterior. 9 1/2" blade and extended lead/steel (??) skull crusher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siclfde Posted December 17, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted December 17, 2011 #4 - last one for today. One of my favorites. A kris blade mated with a chopped flange MK1 Au Lion handle. Looks real to me, but there is a casting defect in the 2nd knuckle loop from the back, so maybe not. Anybody know if the Au Lion handles sometimes had casting defects? 6 1/2" blade, all tightly secured. Mouth of scabbard is stamped "(unreadable SMO". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony V Posted December 17, 2011 Share #10 Posted December 17, 2011 Cliff Very interesting collection, great pictures. The knuckle knives are a favorite among a lot of collectors, and you have some nice ones there. Tony Austin, the shows are at the fair grounds about every three months. The Forks of the Delaware Historical Arms Society runs them. I think the next one is in February. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1944 Posted December 17, 2011 Share #11 Posted December 17, 2011 That is a really nice Collection you have built up there of the different types and Variations of Examples of the WWI Knuckle Knife :thumbsup: Very Nice to see the different types and Modifications done at that time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony-in-NH Posted December 18, 2011 Share #12 Posted December 18, 2011 #4 - last one for today. One of my favorites. A kris blade mated with a chopped flange MK1 Au Lion handle. Looks real to me, but there is a casting defect in the 2nd knuckle loop from the back, so maybe not. Anybody know if the Au Lion handles sometimes had casting defects? 6 1/2" blade, all tightly secured. Mouth of scabbard is stamped "(unreadable SMO". I really like the KRIS bladed one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broccoli Posted December 18, 2011 Share #13 Posted December 18, 2011 Unbelieveable.. I always loved buckle knifes.. looking for other pics Frankie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siclfde Posted December 18, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted December 18, 2011 #5. All the markings have been ground off the side, but I think it is the "Au Lion" model handle. Either that or it is a knockoff using an Au Lion mold. Probably a knockoff, as the top of the brass is a little flatter and the top of the flange is straight. Never-the-less, a nice piece. Has a chopped down 7 1/2" bayonet blade and an extended, very sharp skull crusher nut. What is really neat is the scabbard. All leather and obviously period and obviously built for this knife. It has a leather loop at the end to hold the extended skull crusher. It also has a double bend at the mouth to accomodate the flange and an extra piece of leather behind the whole thing to more tightly secure it. Real piece of leather work. You have probably guessed by now that I like great scabbards almost as much as I like knuckle knives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siclfde Posted December 18, 2011 Author Share #15 Posted December 18, 2011 # 6. This is a Case blade (commonly called the V-44) affixed to an "Au Lion" handle. 9 1/4", properly marked Case bowie blade. Appears to be the original Case V44 sheath. Nice and heavy and solid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siclfde Posted December 18, 2011 Author Share #16 Posted December 18, 2011 #7 and last one. Saved the best for last. The other two in the group picture are just the regular Mark 1 trench knives with nothing unique about them so I am not going to post them. John, if you are watching, you will probably recognize this piece. My best piece. This is a smatchet blade (yes Dennis - it is) expertly secured to an LF&C handle. Has had one side of the flange ground off to accomdate easier carrying w/o beating the wearer's hip bone to death. Blade is unmarked, as are all smatchet blades. The scabbard is so unique I am doing an extra post just for it, as I can't get enough pics in one post. So, see next post also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siclfde Posted December 18, 2011 Author Share #17 Posted December 18, 2011 Original Smatchet scabbard. It is marked on the front with the owner's name (Donald Moody) and service number and a very expertly done unit crest (43rd bomb wing) carved into the leather. The back has 1945 and what I think is the namne of a ship (aircraft carrier??). I can make out USS but have a hard time with the rest of it. Well - that's it. Hope you all have enjoyed viewing and happy holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccyooper Posted December 21, 2011 Share #18 Posted December 21, 2011 #5. All the markings have been ground off the side, but I think it is the "Au Lion" model handle. Either that or it is a knockoff using an Au Lion mold. Probably a knockoff, as the top of the brass is a little flatter and the top of the flange is straight. Never-the-less, a nice piece. Has a chopped down 7 1/2" bayonet blade and an extended, very sharp skull crusher nut. What is really neat is the scabbard. All leather and obviously period and obviously built for this knife. It has a leather loop at the end to hold the extended skull crusher. It also has a double bend at the mouth to accomodate the flange and an extra piece of leather behind the whole thing to more tightly secure it. Real piece of leather work. You have probably guessed by now that I like great scabbards almost as much as I like knuckle knives Outstanding.... I think some of the scabbards are just as interesting as the knives too. Some of the craftsman and GI's were really clevor and creative. I've noticed that many types of the knives you displayed were used by the paratroopers in southern france. They were very "hollywood" with machine guns, knives, etc. While the paratroopers up north modified gear it was nothing like the guys did down south. Just an observation. thanks for sharing, Curt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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