Item Description
Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an interesting theater-made fighting knife that was likely meant more as a piece of trench art, as the pommel and crossguard are both British .303 cartridges. We are unable to tell what the knife originally was.
The 7½” blade is heavily oxidized but has a small bit of etching in the African style. The stacked leather grip is in rough and worn condition, with the pommel cartridge being a bit loose.
The original custom scabbard is soldered with what appears to be lead, and has an attached belt loop and securing strap.
There was a tag attached to the knife which reads SGT. Charles D. Chard African Campaign, which likely names the owner as Staff Sergeant Charles D. Chard who served with the 85th Infantry Division during WWII. The 85th Infantry Division left the United States on 24 December 1943 and arrived in Casablanca, French Morocco on 2 January 1944. It received amphibious training at Port aux Poules near Arzew and Oran, Algeria, 1 February to 23 March, then embarked for Naples, Italy, arriving on 27 March. Although they didn’t see combat in Africa, they certainly trained there, which is where Chard would have had this knife made.
A great and unique example, ready for further research and display.
Dimensions:
Blade length: 7 1/2”
Overall length: 12 1/4”
Scabbard length: 14" with belt loop
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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