WW1 British Brass knuckle knife - named!

[leedjones]

I have just stumbled on a fantastic find..

A Unit and named WW1 British brass knuckle knife.

Its is marked to K.R.R.C (Kings Royal Rifle Corps), named to T.H. WALLIS, and dated 1917!!!

Ok I know brass knuckles were not an issued item to the British forces during the first war, therefore I believe this to be a rare private purchase item.

I have started off some research, and found the Medal card of T.H.WALLIS - attached below.
He is listed as a 2nd Lieutenant, K.R.R.C, and his entitlement fits with date on knuckles!!

I have attached some pics,

Scabbard is old, and has wear consistent with shape of knife, so I believe is original to knife.

Excited about this one , and going to do some digging, but your thoughts and opinions are welcome, as I know there are people out there who know more than me.

Thanks

Lee

[leedjones]

2

[leedjones]

3

[leedjones]

4

[leedjones]

5

[leedjones]

6

[leedjones]

7

[leedjones]

8

[leedjones]

9

[leedjones]

And Last One..

[zachb]

I like your knife but it doesn't seem like the standard variation, i.e., blade and rivets (but I can't find much info out there about them). Here is website that has a few pictures (later version perhaps?):

http://gotavapen.se/gota/artiklar/fs/fs_knife1.htm

I had a chance to look through Ron Flook's book in a book store, if I recall there was some information in the book about these knives (I need to get a copy of this book):

http://www.amazon.com/British-Common...4546186&sr=8-1

I would be interested if you found out more info, searching the web with "BC41" might help uncover more. Zach

[Gary Jucha]

Modified

The knife looks to be possibly a knuckle duster which has had a home made blade "let into" it.
The blade does not look like a production piece, .. my guess would be that "THW" modified the knuckleduster in the trenchs to his own requirements ..

Gary J.

[Ciaran Byrne]

You may be able to find this officer's details at the PRO in Kew, London. They have all WWI Officers who served during WWI and retired after the war.

[leedjones]

You may be able to find this officer's details at the PRO in Kew, London. They have all WWI Officers who served during WWI and retired after the war.

Cheers for this, definately an avenue I'll take up and pursue.

As regards to knife itself, thanks Gary, I would agree that knuckle duster has been modified to allow a blade to be fitted, quite a crude but functional job, and not a production blade.


Trying to find detail on who made commercial knuckle dusters during WW1, that will then give a thread to follow as well..

[steverobinson]

I've got an old british knuckle duster marked KRRC 1916 with a name on it too different name to whats one your knife but I did do a quick search and did find that name from KRRC and same date too.

Will try and post a picture later.

I have also seen a few knuckle knifes the same as that one of yours too.