Original Item. One of a Kind. This quite the menacing item, a large folding knife clearly "Trench Made" by a French WW1 Infantryman to pass the time, but also intended for serious use in the hand to hand trench warfare. It measures an impressive 17 1/2" when in the opened position, with a 7 1/2" curved trailing edge blade. When locked closed it measures 10" overall in length. It appears to be made from Aluminum frame sides mounted with this nasty curved steel blade,which is held in place by a large steel spring fitted with a "pull ring" to release the blade. There is a large brass plate incorporated in the construction on the right side which as been engraved:-

Souvenir de la Guerre
1914 - 1917
Interesting that its end date is 1917 and not 1918; perhaps the owner was wounded and discharged from duty in 1917. A totally unique item which has been beautifully hand crafted and ready to display.