Trench Knife
The US Army entered WWII without a trench knife and brought the M-1918 (Mark 1) knife out of retirement. However, it was soon realised that a better weapon was needed allegedly, because the cast knuckle-duster handle meant it could only be used in an impractical �clenched fist� way. However the need to preserve brass as a critical war material played a contributing factor. After experimenting, the Army settled upon the M3 Trench Knife at the turn of 1942, for men armed with BARs, carbines and pistols exclusively. When the Army began working on a bayonet to fit the carbine, it was realised that the new M4 bayonet could replace the trench knife and the M4 was added to the Company table of organisation in June 1944. Despite being declared, �limited standard - issue until exhausted�, final production of the M3 didn�t stop until August 1944; at which time over two � million had been made.
The early runs of M3 trench knife came in the M6 leather scabbard, but it was changed in early 1943 for the plastic M8 scabbard, which was harder wearing and water resistant. |
