knuckle knife

[Jonathan Lighter]

A military knife made with a brass knuckled hilt.  Not in OED:
 
1918 Richard Derby Holmes _A Yankee in the Trenches_ (Boston: Little, Brown) 29:  The knuckle knife is a short dagger with a heavy brass hilt that covers the hand. Also very good for close work, as you can either strike or stab with it.
 
JL




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