Were members of the 5th Marine Regiment and 6th Marine Regiment issued trench knives? If yes, does anyone have photographs showing WW I Marines wearing such knives?

If yes, which type of trench knife were the Marines issued?

There are lots of pictures out there of Marines in WW1 carrying the M1917/18 type Trench Knife. I'm sure there will be several posted soon.

 

As far as I know there are no pictures at all of WW1 Soldiers or Marines in France with the M1918 Mark 1 (brass handled) knife. At least I have never seen one, and we have had a thread seeking photographs of this subject for some time here on the board...

 

There is some debate as to whether or not the Mark 1 knife ever made it into combat in WW1.

There are lots of pictures out there of Marines in WW1 carrying the M1917/18 type Trench Knife. I'm sure there will be several posted soon.

 

As far as I know there are no pictures at all of WW1 Soldiers or Marines in France with the M1918 Mark 1 (brass handled) knife. At least I have never seen one, and we have had a thread seeking photographs of this subject for some time here on the board...

 

There is some debate as to whether or not the Mark 1 knife ever made it into combat in WW1.

 

I don't think any of the American made Mark 1s made it overseas in time for WW1. I too am looking forward to seeing some pictures of Marines with M1917/18 knives. I've never seen one and would like to. Bill

Were members of the 5th Marine Regiment and 6th Marine Regiment issued trench knives? If yes, does anyone have photographs showing WW I Marines wearing such knives?

Is the top Trench Knife an original or a reproduction? It looks like a current repro. Just wondering?

Regards,

John

Is the top Trench Knife an original or a reproduction? It looks like a current repro. Just wondering?

Regards,

John

 

Really?? All the current repos I've seen of the M1917/M1918 trench knives have the wrong type of blade on them (see below). Have you seen a replica with the tapering spike?

 

Big John is right. In fact, the photo at the top of this thread is from Frank Trzaska's website Reproduction Recognition section, and the top knife is a repro HD&S knife.

 

http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/m1917_trench.htm

Big John is right. In fact, the photo at the top of this thread is from Frank Trzaska's website Reproduction Recognition section, and the top knife is a repro HD&S knife.

 

http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/m1917_trench.htm

 

 

 

 

 

I borrowed the two photographs from the Internet since I don't currently own a WW I trench knife. I would like to obtain one for my collection; if and only if I can find evidence showing they were actually issued to the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments.

 

Finding WW I photographs showing trench knives being worn is easier said then done.

 

I just found this photograph PFC Willard Allen White, Company K, 321st Infantry Regiment, 81st Division, with gas mask haversack, pistol, and trench knife on the Internet.

Big John is right. In fact, the photo at the top of this thread is from Frank Trzaska's website Reproduction Recognition section, and the top knife is a repro HD&S knife.

 

http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/m1917_trench.htm

 

Tanks Gary--I didn't realize that was a current reproduction; I thought it was a fake. By that I mean that I thought somebody had taken a legitimate knife, cleaned it up and changed the markings. They don't even say H.D. & S. on the guard; they say H. & P. S. :pinch:

Back row, right center. 51st Company 5th Marines. Coblenz Bridgehead, occupation.

Excellent photo--thanks! :thumbsup:

Back row, right center. 51st Company 5th Marines. Coblenz Bridgehead, occupation.

 

 

 

Thanks 12A54 for sharing this photograph with us :thumbsup: It's exactly what I was searching for.

Back row, right center. 51st Company 5th Marines. Coblenz Bridgehead, occupation.

 

That is an OUTSTANDING photo. Is that dated? It is the first photographic proof I have seen of the Mark 1 in wear in France. Even after the Armistice.

 

In fact if you look closely, the Marine on the far left also has a Mark 1.

 

Thank you for sharing!

Back row, right center. 51st Company 5th Marines. Coblenz Bridgehead, occupation.

 

 

GREAT PHOTO!!! :w00t: If we can find out the date like cwnorma said this could be the evidence we are looking for!

GREAT PHOTO!!! :w00t: If we can find out the date like cwnorma said this could be the evidence we are looking for!

 

 

 

 

The photograph was taken sometime in 1919.

The photograph was taken sometime in 1919.

Well, yes, that's rather obvious. The question is when in 1919? Its not a trivial question. The actual date would help serve to indicate when the Mark 1 knives were on hand in sufficient quantities to issue out to units. Even the month would help. Besides, technically, the war did not end until the Treaty of Versailles was signed June 28, 1919. If this photo predates that, it can be said that the Mark 1 knife was carried during the World War.

 

This is still photographic proof that the Mark 1 Knives were issued in Europe. Until a pre-Nov 11, 1918 photo surfaces of one in use, the question of the possibility of their WW1 combat use will remain unresolved.