Original WW1 Trench Raiding Club with Cast Lead Head

Here on offer is a WW1 trench raiding club with a roughly cast lead head.

This is a great example of a what I was told is a British WW1 trench raiding club but I can’t certify it is British or German, as there are no identifying marks on this piece?

It has been made using a “3 sectioned” length of extremely strong bamboo shaft, that was probably originally part of an Officer’s walking stick?

The top has then been securely fitted with large chunk of cast lead.

This is an exceptionally rare example of a nearly impossible to find WW1 trench club.

Trench raiding clubs were homemade melee weapons used by both the Allies and the Central Powers during WW1.

Clubs were used during night time trench raiding expeditions as a quiet and effective way of killing or wounding enemy soldiers. The clubs were usually made out of wood. It was common practice to fix a metal object at the striking end (e.g. an empty Mills bomb) in order to maximize the injury inflicted.

Another common design comprised a simple stave with the end drilled out and a lead weight inserted, with rows of large hobnails hammered in around its circumference.

Most designs had some form of cord or leather strap at the end to wrap around the user's wrist.

Apparently were used by officers to finish enemy soldiers wounded by poison gas attacks.

Trench clubs were manufactured in bulk by units based behind the lines. Typically, regimental carpenters and metal workers would make large numbers of clubs, from whatever materials where available at the time. They were generally used along with other "quiet" weapons such as trench knives, entrenching tools, bayonets, hatchets and pickaxe handles.

The club measures 14.75” (37.5cm) long and it weighs 235g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 52465