EDGED WEAPONS. FRANCE. Wooden handle and metal fittings, Navaja type steel blade signed COUVREUX, acid engraved on one side "GUERRE EUROPÉENNE 1914-1915-1916-1917", on the other "LE COMPAGNON DES TRANCHÉES". L: 33,5 cm, blade: 15cm. 14-18 period. ABE This type of knife was used by the poilus from 1914-15 on an individual basis and then more widely as a weapon of the "groupes francs" or trench cleaners. This example is part of the official order of 150,000, a third of which were actually delivered.