Extreme ps Knives, Trench Knives

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Extreme ps Knives, Trench Knives

Clipped from: http://earthyflavorance.edublogs.org/2011/07/07/extreme-ops-knives-trench-knives/

Introduction- A Trench knife / Dagger is a knife designed to kill or gravely incapacitate an enemy soldier at extremely close quarters, as in trenches on the war-front with stealth & unimpeded movement. They are also called Extreme-Ops Knives

Extreme Ops Knives, Trench Knife [Knives] evolved because of a need for a close combat weapon for soldiers conducting assaults and raids on enemy trench-lines during the First World War. Also termed fighting knives, they proved so useful that armies continued to develop and issue new designs. On the Axis side, the Nahkampfmesser and its modifications were widely issued to the ordinary soldier as general-purpose fighting and utility knives. During the war, Allied armies also issued a version of trench knives to elite infantry units and infantry. The French Nail was a long, narrow stiletto-type blade, with or without a spike, designed to deftly kill a surprised enemy soldier with a single deep thrust

Origin and History of Trench Knives- Early trench knives, which evolved from bayonets, were by and large fabricated by hand by individual soldiers or ordnance blacksmiths for the purpose of silently eliminating sentries and other enemy personnel during trench raids. With time, the design evolved into a multi-utility survival cum close-combat tool.

US Trench Knives- The M1917 & M1918 could only be used as stabbing weapons, and frequently suffered broken blades, thus limiting their utility. This was replaced by “Mark 1 Series” featuring a full-tang design, double-edged blade and a heavy bronze hilt incorporating a guard, as a knuckle duster. Then came the M3, followed by KA-BAR

French Trench Knives- The trench knives issued by the French Army were modifications of locally-fabricated “French Nail”

German Trench Knives- Nahkampfmesser was the standard issue German combat knife during the First World War. German trench knives carried during World War II were similar in design and are usually known today as boot knives

Commonwealth allies used a wide variety of trench knives during World War I, which were by and large, modified Bowie knives. Later, Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife [Trench Knife] was issued to Royal Marines, Parachute Regiment, Special Boat Service and the Special Air Service. This was a stiletto, designed by William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes. It features in the insignia of the British Royal Marines, the Dutch Commando Corps, the Australian 2nd Commando Regiment, and the United States Army Rangers. A solid gold F-S Fighting Knife is part of the commandos' memorial at Westminster Abbey.

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