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Item No.:	8542	Price :	SOLD
Item :	WWI, U.S. MK. I TRENCH KNIFE BY AU LION

Description :

This is an original, WWI, Mk. I Trench Knife manufactured by Au Lion of France. The French Mk. I knives were the only ones that actually made it into the hands of troops in the field during the war. The American made examples arrived too late and were placed into storage. They were issued early in WWII. This is a knife that almost certainly saw field service during the war. The original, correct Au Lion scabbard has been sewn into a leather hanger, that the soldier made from what appears to be a model 1904 Garrison Belt. The leather has been securely laced around the metal scabbard with GI shoe laces. This allowed the knife to be worn lower, beneath the web gear and equipment for easy access. The knife is in fine condition. The blade remains mostly bright with an overall speckling of patina. The Au Lion Rampant Lion logo is located on the right ricasso. It is well struck and crisp. There is a nick on the upper edge of the blade. There are several small dents on the left side of the brass grip. The original metal scabbard is fine as well. It retains both hooks and is the correct French made scabbard. The small part of it that is visible has turned brown. The field made leather hanger on this knife makes it particularly interesting, a knife that has undoubtedly "seen the elephant". Stock no. 22626

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