WWI bayonet reprisals

[Josh Beckett]

Why did they call them dum dums?

[nt198998]

Named after a place near calcutta: http://www.firstworldwar.com/atoz/dumdum.htm

[Josh Beckett]

was there reprisals against troops with maces and brass knuckles?

[nt198998]

No both sides had maces, but i am not sure about knuckle dusters, not big enough, well known enough, or deadly enough to warrant reprisals

[Josh Beckett]

Did we use maces?

[nt198998]

maybe, the brits used them and issued them!, and we borrowed some of their stuff sometimes, and occasionally a few wash up in estate sales of wwi vets children (old), and grandchildren (old). The british ones were usually wood with nails bolted in, and filled with lead, but the german ones were wood with a cast iron club on the top, usually weighted with lead for more leverage.

[Doug Kenwright]

i bought a trench mace here years ago that was labled "meat tenderizer" in the auction catologue..well, i suppose , in a sense!

[Josh Beckett]

Can you post a picture of it?