Knuckle duster, England, 1914-1918

Knuckle duster with retractable blade, possibly English, for trench warfare, 1914-1918

Soldiers during the First World War were issued with weapons and guns but many took their own unofficial weapons as well. Worn on the knuckles during man-to-man combat and perhaps carried during night time trench raids, the spiked metal could potentially add severe injuries to the punch being thrown. The retractable blade measures 60 mm.