A military fighting (trench) knife is a combat knife designed for use at close quarters. These knives were developed in response to a need for a close combat weapon for soldiers conducting assaults and raids on enemy trenches in WW1. Initially, these knives were a private purchase item by soldiers and often these weapons were made by the troops themselves from cut down bayonets. Later, company armourers undertook the task of shortening bayonets for use by the troops.
This trench knife is fashioned from a Ross rifle bayonet and looks to have been professionally done, probably by a regimental armourer.
The 177mm single-edged, Bowie-style blade has a rounded spine and terminates in a clip point with a 50mm upper false edge. The blade is in good condition with conversion related marks and light scratches. The blade retains a sharp fighting edge.
The modified cross-piece retains a blued finish as does the pommel. The end of the squared pommel is stamped with the unit marking of the 5th Battery of the Canadian Garrison Artillery and the weapon number 97. This would have been the original issue stamping before conversion to a fighting knife.
The hardwood grip scales are in good condition and bear crowned inspection/ownership stamps. The hardwood scales are held firmly in place by the original fixings. The spine of the tang bears crowned inspection stamps. The modified pommel has had the press-stud mechanism removed, providing a hole through which a lanyard could be attached. The pommel bears the original maker and designation stamps (P1907 Ross Mk II bayonet). The bayonet was originally made in July 1916.
The bayonet is complete with its original Mk II, 1916 dated leather scabbard with integral frog. The scabbard is in very good condition with scuffing to the leather commensurate with age. The stitching is intact and strong. The tip of the scabbard has a steel button bearing a Canadian inspection stamp. The foot of the scabbard is stamped with a Canadian government ownership mark, production date and the Mk II pattern designation. The belt loop of the scabbard frog is stamped with a Canadian government ownership mark.
This is a great example of a WW1 trench fighting knife converted from a 1907 pattern Ross bayonet.
