Fake Alert: M1917 “Trench Knife” Scabbard
Because eBay rules prevent the sale of knives that incorporate a fighting knuckle-style guard, we have seen an increase of trench knife scabbards listed for sale, most with an opening…
Because eBay rules prevent the sale of knives that incorporate a fighting knuckle-style guard, we have seen an increase of trench knife scabbards listed for sale, most with an opening bid of $400 or more. What eBay didn’t catch on to was that a free “knife” was thrown in with the scabbard, thereby completing the sale of trench knife and scabbard. That worked for a while ... until recently.
A reproduction trench knife scabbard has entered the market, and many are being passed to unsuspecting collectors as original manufacture.The top of the scabbard is stamped with an inspector’s mark, “WBC.” The leather throat of the scabbard is stamped “L.F.&C. 1917.” The reproduction scabbards are being produced in India. Atlanta Cutlery offers a reproduction M1917 that comes with this scabbard.
John Adams-Graf ("JAG" to most) is the editor of Military Trader and Military Vehicles Magazine. He has been a military collector for his entire life. The son of a WWII veteran, his writings carry many lessons from the Greatest Generation. JAG has authored several books, including multiple editions of Warman's WWII Collectibles, Civil War Collectibles, and the Standard Catalog of Civil War Firearms. He is a passionate shooter, wood-splitter, kayaker, and WWI AEF Tank Corps collector.
