A trench knife is one of those knives used as a weapon and was developed intentionally for the use of soldiers in close-range fighting and are particularly employed in trench raids of the First World War. They are purpose-made and some are from shortened bayonets and swords. The blades of the earliest trench knives were 6.5 long and made of stainless steel.
To date, most countries at war have their own versions of a trench knife. In the US, Mark 1 is the most widely recognized trench knife. Blades stamped ‘ricasso’ with a rested lion and “Au Lion” below it is its French version. The knife is a full tang with a double-edged blade and the hilt is made of brass which includes a knucke duster shaped guard. U.S. M1917 and M1918 followed the Mark 1 as trench knives. They are more complex in designs together with triangular stiletto blades and a rounded pommel.
Some of the trench knives used by the British forces during World War 1 were based on the Bowie knife. These trench knives were used alongside other weapons used in trench raiding such as trench clubs. German trench knives are also referred to as boot knives. It derived its name from the fact that most metal sheaths have clips which make it possible to be attached in boots, although in reality it is seldom done. During the First World War they were six inches long and single-edged with slab wooden grips. Their sheaths were strongly made.