1918 Mark I Trench Knife and Scabbard by Landers, Frary & Clark

The brass handle with knuckle guard grip retains much of its original darkened finish, as does the double edged blade. The blade shows some edge sharpening and some light rust spots. The grip retains its original six sided pointed pommel nut.  The side of the grip bears the impressed “U.S. 1918” designation, above “L.F.&C.-1918”. The throat of the blackened steel scabbard also bears the designation of “L.F.&C. 1918”. One of the two prongs on the scabbard for attachment to the equipment belt is broken off, as is typical with the Mark I scabbard. The Mark I was designed for trench warfare in World War I. In the early years of World War II, stocks of the Mark I knives that had not been issued in World War I were then issued to U.S. Army airborne units, Ranger units, and Marine Corps Raider units.