Page 292 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

290 TRENCH-FIGHTING

1914–1945 WEAPONS

Throughout World War I, assaults on enemy
positions almost inevitably ended in hand-to-hand

ARS combat in the confined spaces of trenches and dugouts. Semi-pistol stock
Pistols came into their own in such circumstances,
but were issued mainly to officers. Individual soldiers
armed themselves with the rifle-and-bayonet as well
ORLD W as expedient weapons such as knives and axes, which Lanyard ring
were chosen for their ability to disable or kill at a single
stroke. The design of early grenades, although not
entirely satisfactory, soon improved dramatically.
THE W Fore sight ▼ STICK GRENADE The Stielhandgranate first saw

service with German troops, and
Date 1915
became one of the Stormtroopers’
Origin Germany
Weight 21oz (595g) iconic weapons. The handle gave Belt hook
the thrower a significant range
1
Length 14 ⁄4in (36.5cm) advantage over one armed with
grenades such as the Mills bomb.
▶ LUGER P08
Date 1908–42 Safety catch
Origin Germany
Weight 31oz (880g)
Barrel 4in (10cm)
Magazine
Caliber 9mm Parabellum
catch
Georg Luger’s Pistole ’08—the P08
or “Parabellum”—was the German
officer’s handgun of choice during Serrated
World War I. Its 9mm Parabellum handle
round (9×19mm) was more powerful
than others of similar dimensions, and Cylinder holds
became a world standard. six rounds

▼ SMLE MKIII RIFLE The battlefields of World War I
WITH WIRE-CUTTING were festooned with barbed-wire
ATTACHMENT entanglements, and many methods
▶ COLT NEW SERVICE
Date 1907 for dealing with this were tested.
Date 1909–41 One involved fitting sprung cutting
Origin UK
Origin US jaws to the muzzle of an SMLE
Weight 8lb (3.7kg) rifle, but this proved ineffective.
Weight 2 ⁄2lb (1.15kg)
1
1
Barrel 5 ⁄2in (14.4cm) Barrel 25in (64cm)
Caliber .303in
Caliber .45 Colt
Pivot pin for
American officers were issued cylinder gate Turned-down
with Colt “automatics” but some felt bolt handle
that they were likely to jam. Most
preferred the last revolver produced
for the US Army—the .45-caliber Cylinder-
Colt New Service. Retaining stirrup
retaining key
locks barrel and
cylinder assembly
to frame
Belt
hooks
▶ WEBLEY & SCOTT MK VI
Date 1915
Origin UK
1
Weight 2 ⁄4lb (1.05kg)
Barrel 6in (15.2cm)
Caliber .455 Eley
▶ TRENCH AX Issued to British troops as a general-
Birmingham arms manufacturer Recess Date 1916 purpose tool, the trench ax was
Webley & Scott began supplying for cylinder- Origin UK widely employed as a weapon in
pistols to the British Army in 1887. locking bolt close-quarter fighting during raids Chopping
The Mk VI was the last of them, and and assaults on enemy positions. blade in
was prized for its rugged reliability. holster