Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Knife, Trench |
Source |
Iowa Masonic Library |
Iowa History Era Tag |
Prosperity to the Depression (1897-1939) |
Chronological Tag |
The Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930) |
Catalog Number |
2018.002.051 |
Credit line |
Iowa Masonic Library - Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
Description |
This is a Model 1917 American trench knife developed for the American Expeditionary Force for use in close range infantry combat during the First World War. It features a long, triangular blade with no cutting edges and a sharpened point. The hilt of the knife is made of a wooden grip framed by a spiked metal guard. The wooden grip is carved with four finger slots for comfortable holding, while the double rows of rounded spikes on the guard are designed as knuckledusters for punching. The blade is covered in a protective metal and leather scabbard which cannot easily be removed. The bottom of the scabbard features two metal loops that would have originally been used to fasten the knife to a soldier's kit. As the United States was a relative latecomer to the war in 1917, the US Army had the advantage of knowing how to develop effective weapons to suit trench warfare. The M1917 trench knife was designed purely for thrusting or punching enemies in hand-to-hand combat scenarios. The original model featured only a single row of studs along the hilt guard, though this feature was replaced by a double row of spikes for better use as a knuckleduster. Through its use and experimentation by the AEF, the design of the M1917 was found to be flawed in several key ways. Firstly, the lack of a cutting edge made it impractical for any use other than stabbing, taking away any multipurpose potential. Secondly, the long blade would frequently become brittle and snap upon use, rendering the weapon useless. The large, unwieldly nature of this particular style of knife led to the development of the Model 1918 trench knife, which was revised to feature a shorter blade with a cutting edge and more robust construction. By the end of the war, the M1917 had been phased out entirely for much of the AEF. This content can be used with the following resources: SS.4.25: Technological Change This content can be used to educate students on how American weapons technology changed and evolved during the First World War, as well as how those changes impacted the lives of Iowa servicemen. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item for any copyright restrictions. |
Primary/Secondary Source |
Significant - State/National |
County Tag |
Linn |
Subjects |
Knives Military tactics Military training Trench warfare War War allies Warfare World War I |
Classification |
American Artifacts Military Museums U.S. Army War World War I |
Multimedia Links |
Click here to view/hear the file. |
Search Terms |
Military tactics Military training Trench warfare U.S. Army War War & Conflict War allies Warfare World War I WW1 WWI |
Legal Status |
Copyright to this resource is held by the Iowa Masonic Library and Museum and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For more information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney. |
