Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a really phenomenal and unique Italian trench knife handmade by the soldier during the war. The blade appears to be made from a recycled M1871 Vetterli rifle bayonet, which has been shortened and attached to the hilt of a rare Arditi 2nd Model Trench boot knife, with the cupped crossguard and curved wooden grip. The scabbard is a captured Austro-Hungarian trench knife scabbard with the two loops at the throat.

The knife has a roughly 7” blade which was sharpened heavily during the period, with the same great patina across. The wooden grip is heavily worn and carved with the initials M.I.L. on one side, with two odd symbols on the other. There is some cracking in the grip as shown. The knife has an overall length of roughly 12¾”. The scabbard retains about 25% of its original green paint and is also very worn.

This is a really phenomenal WWI converted Arditi trench knife with a captured scabbard. Comes ready for further research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 7"
Overall length: 12¾“ 
Scabbard Length: 9⅝"