Trench Knife

The US Army entered WWII without a trench knife and brought the M-1918 (Mark 1) knife out
of retirement. TOP
However, it was soon realised that a better weapon was needed allegedly, because the cast
knuckle-duster handle meant it could only be used in an impractical  clenched fist way.
However the need to preserve brass as a critical war material played a contributing factor.

After experimenting, the Army settled upon the M3 Trench Knife at the turn of 1942, for men
armed with BARs, carbines and pistols exclusively.
When the Army began working on a bayonet to fit the carbine, it was realised that the new M4
bayonet could replace the trench knife and the M4 was added to the Company table of
organisation in June 1944.
Despite being declared, limited standard - issue until exhausted, final production of the M3
didnt stop until August 1944; at which time over two ½ million had been made.

The early runs of M3 trench knife came in the M6 leather scabbard, MIDDLE
but it was changed in early 1943 for the plastic M8 scabbard, which was harder wearing and
water resistant. BOTTOM