history of knuckle dusters: the ultimate close-quarters weapon

HISTORY OF KNUCKLE DUSTERS


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David Grant

Paladin Press • Boulder, Colorado

The Ultimate Close-Quarters Weapon

History of Knuckle Dusters: The Ultimate Close-Quarters Weaponby Dave Grant

Copyright © 2007 by Dave Grant

ISBN 13: 978-1-58160-630-0Printed in the United States of America

Published by Paladin Press, a division ofPaladin Enterprises, Inc.,P.O. Box 1307Boulder, Colorado 80306 USA+1.303.443.7250

Direct inquiries and/or orders to the above address.

PALADIN, PALADIN PRESS, and the “horse head” design are trademarksbelonging to Paladin Enterprises and registered in United States Patent andTrademark Office.

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, no portion of this book may bereproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted inany form without the express written permission of the publisher. Thescanning, uploading and distribution of this book by the Internet or any othermeans without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law.Please respect the author’s rights and do not participate in the any form ofelectronic piracy of copyrighted material.

Neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for the use ormisuse of information contained in this book.

Visit our website at www.paladin-press.com.

Also by David Grant:Knuckle Dusters and Knuckle KnivesTomahawks: Traditional to Tactical

Contents

V

Introduction....................................................................................1

Chapter 1: Early Knuckle Dusters...............................................5Classic T-Handle American Knuckle DustersClassic American Knuckle DusterDarley Aluminum KnucklesClassic British Knuckle DusterMailed Fist Knuckle Dusters

Chapter 2: The Knuckle Duster Goes to War...........................19World War I Austrian Military Issue Knuckle DustersBritish Military-Issue Knuckle DustersModern Brass BC 41 Knuckle DustersSheffield-Style Knuckle DustersStone Knuckle Dusters

Chapter 3: Modern Designs: Mass Production, Customs, andCombat Knuckles ........................................................................29

“Dave Courtney Special” Knuckle DustersPaper Weight Knuckle DustersChinese Mass-Produced Knuckle Dusters

Chapter 4: Modern Customs......................................................37Custom Maltese Cross Knuckle DustersCustom Two-Finger Styles

Chapter 5: Modern Combat Knuckle Dusters .........................41Dalton Combat Cutlery Warfist: Plain, Hardride,

and Warhorse Choppers

Copy of Dalton Combat Cutlery WarfistCopy Inspired by Devil’s PlaygroundCopy of Austrian World War I Military-Issue Knuckle DusterRat TailBaby Rat Tail I and IIHammer FistBack Street Products Custom Knuckle Duster

Chapter 6: Knuckle Duster Combination Weapons.................57Theater-Made Knuckle KnivesCustom-Made Appleby Knuckle KnifeOSS “Hatpin” Knuckle KnifeDalton Combat Cutlery InterrogatorDalton Combat Cutlery Devil’s PlaygroundLe Centenaire Knuckle Duster PistolDolne “Apache” Knife/Pistol/Knuckle DusterDelhaxhe Knuckle/Knife/GunK.O. Glove Leather Knuckle Duster

Chapter 7: Various Knuckle Duster Related Patents...............77Survival Tool 1Survival Tool 2Spring-Mounted Knuckle KnifeRound-Finger Stall Knuckle DusterOyster ShuckerMachete DaggerNovak Knuckle Duster PistolHollinshead Ram KnifeHarstad DaggerHarrison Knuckle KnifeBaton with Knuckle Strap

Web Sites.......................................................................................89

History of Knuckle Dusters

VI

Acknowledgments

VII

This book would not have been possible without the help andencouragement of friends and family alike. The collectors andmanufacturers that kindly provided pictures and information tosupplement what I already had made this volume better. DannyWhite from the Brass Knuckle Collector Club (see Web site at theback of the book), Steve Michaluk for his Mailed Fist informationand pictures, and the expertise and great photography for theDalton items provided by Mark Kukelkorn helped tremendously.

Many individuals wished to remain anonymous. My gratitudeextends to them as well. You know who you are, and your efforts toincrease the knowledge of knuckle dusters and decrease their stigmais appreciated by me and other interested readers. My fam ilydeserves and gets the greatest praise for their support of and patiencewith this project. My eldest son, Connor, especially liked trying oneach set of knuckle dusters that lay on the desk while I wrote.

Introduction

1

When I first started researching knuckle dusters, there was aclear absence of data to draw from; knowledgeable collectors tended to be secretive and hard to find, and nothing really substan-tive had been written. But the subject was so intriguing, and I wasso entirely captivated by these pocket-sized weapons, that Iplugged along collecting examples, pictures, and as much informa-tion as I could. The end result was my book Knuckle Dusters andKnuckle Knives (Iron Wave Publishing, 2005), a collection ofknuckles and knives showing the diversity and some of the historyof this significant subject.

As happens with so many historical research projects, I wasuncertain that I had covered the subject as clearly and completelyas possible, but it was the best I could do at the time, and soKnuckle Dusters and Knuckle Knives was released. The book wasa hit right away, being the first and only book to even touch onthe subject. Soon after its release, my uncertainty about the com-pleteness of the subject became justified. I discovered someamazing examples of knuckles I never knew existed, both histori-cally significant ones and incredible new designs that needed tobe exposed.

The most fantastic by-product of the book was the sudden con-tact by dozens of collectors who discovered my Web site,www.knuckledusterbook.com, and started sending me e-mails with

questions, comments, historical data and, best of all, pictures oftheir collections. Soon I was blissfully swimming in a collector’sdream of information, which I have now compiled and presentedin this book.

History of Knuckle Dusters will hopefully excite existingknuckle duster collectors and, more importantly, get others startedon this wonderful adventure. New and old collectors should bethrilled with the new designs that are coming out; cheap but inter-esting knuckles from China continue to enter the market alongsidehigh-end combat knuckle dusters by makers such as DaltonCombat Cutlery (DCC) and Back Street Products (BSP). I believethis is just the tip of the iceberg. Much like their also maligned andoutlawed cousin, the switchblade, knuckle dusters are seeing aresurgence in popularity as a self-defense weapon that, unlike agun or knife, is less likely to kill but is very effective in close-quarter combat.

So what is the future of the knuckle duster? Hopefully, thosecountries and states that have outlawed knuckles will see the errorof their ways and back off their draconian laws regarding theseitems. It has happened with switchblades in the United States, andthe result has been beautiful custom automatic knives that are welldesigned and strong being sold to citizens for carry and collection.Regardless of their legal standing, more and more people are buy-ing knuckles, for whatever reason, and they rarely stop at just oneset. One on-line seller recently reported that over the 2005Christmas season his shop sold more than 400 knuckle dusters!

Another aspect of knuckle dusters is the way craftsmen havecombined them with other weapons to create useful hybrids.Knives, guns, and batons have all been incorporated into more use-ful tools when knuckles are added. This trend has again been seenas makers look for “new” ways to differentiate themselves andmake their designs attractive.

With every small step, knuckle dusters will become moreacceptable; at the beginning of the 20th century, they were sold in


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police supply and hardware catalogs! The vilification of the knuck-le duster really occurred much as it did with the switchblade: blam-ing an object for the actions of individuals who used them inappro-priately. Hopefully, this trend of vilification will change, but as gunowners have seen, it is not an easy obstacle to overcome.

So join with me if you are new to the fascinating subject ofknuckle dusters, or are a veteran collector, and take a look at theseweapons that have been around for at least 200 years and will con-tinue to be carried, collected, and used forever.

Introduction

3

1Chapter

5

EARLY KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Dating back to before the American Civil War, mass-producedknuckle dusters were neither rare nor considered particularly evil.Often sold in hardware and sporting goods stores and catalogs, the19th- and early 20th-century weapons could be had as cheaply as agood pocket knife. Despite the low cost of the knuckle dusters, someindividuals sought to make their own, whether for the challenge orthe lack of availability where they lived. Many examples of hand-made knuckle dusters cast from lead, drilled from brass bar stock, orhammered out of iron by a blacksmith have been dug up on CivilWar sites.

The mass-produced knuckles of this period had three distinc-tive styles: the American T-handle, the American classic, and theBritish classic. Within these styles there are some distinctions,mainly in size and materials, but for decades these three styleswere what was available. Even such companies as WinchesterArms entered the knuckle duster market with a unique item calledthe “Brute Tamer,” to be used and carried by women. Most knuck-le makers left off any markings on their offerings, and except inrare cases, we do not know who they were.

Early in the 20th century, police supply catalogs began toadvertise knuckles and other similar weapons, such as the leather,shot-filled strap that covered the hand. It was perfectly acceptablefor a law enforcement officer to carry a weapon like this in order

to stop a fight without shooting or clubbing a suspect.Not much thought was given to knuckle dusters until they

began to be used by gangsters, thugs, and union busters. Used tomenace, intimidate, and often to beat those who opposed them,knuckles became a symbol of these criminals and have sadlyremained so up to the present day in a lot of jurisdictions.


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Early Knuckle Dusters

7

CLASSIC T-HANDLE AMERICAN KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Makers: Unknown

Popular in the last part of the 19th century and into the early20th century, the T-handled knuckle duster is distinctive not justfor its palm swell but also for the straight-across finger stalls. It isinteresting to note that many of these knuckle dusters can only beworn one way, as the finger stalls get smaller from one side to theother. The stalls are also usually not perfectly round, but ratheroblong in shape. The straight-across design is not as comfortableas other knuckle dusters that curve and do not spread the fingersas much.

While the T-handle is mostly referred to as an Americandesign, examples sold by British firms have been noted, and theycertainly influenced the typical British design that refined theshape so as to be more comfortable. Made from steel, iron, alu-minum, or brass, the T-handle examples are not uncommon, and doappear from time to time for sale.

CLASSIC AMERICAN KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Makers: Unknown

The most well-known American designs surfaced in the firsthalf of the 20th century. Drawing on earlier designs, these moremodern examples have developed into the most common knuckleswe see today. Thefamiliar shape con-tains four roughlyround finger stallswith either roundedor square protru-sions along the topedge of the knuck-les. The curvedcalm swell isattached to theknuckle stalls sec-tion by two “posts,”and a stylish emptyspace is created.Made from steel,iron, brass, alu-minum, and evencopper, this style ofknuckle duster hashad minor changesover the last centu-ry, but the basicdesign hasremained intact.Most notably, it isthe size of the


8

Photo from private collection.


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knuckle stalls that has undergone the most changes. Early knuckleswere quite tight and overall quite small, but were comfortablewhen on the hand. As the years went on, the size of the stallincreased, which meant easier access but also spread out the fin-gers, which can become an issue when striking.

The knuckle dusters shown here are early examples that wereoften sold through catalogs—hardware, police supply, and sportinggoods. Examples with the heavy protrusions on the outer edgeswere sold in a hardware mail order catalog. Since the 1970s, thisstyle was sold as “paperweights” and “belt buckles” in firearmsand security magazines. Today, many of the imported knuckleofferings use this venerable style in their makeup, adding someextras for looks but never straying from the original.


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DARLEY ALUMINUM KNUCKLES (MADE FOR DARLEY POLICE SUPPLY)

A variation of the classic American knuckle duster, these wereavailable from Darley Police Supply. Made from aluminum, theywere feather light. However, they were very thin, approximately5mm, or less than a quarter inch. While this made them easy tocarry and conceal, they were not nearly as effective as larger, heav-ier knuckles and could cut into the hand upon impact, causingsome bruising.


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The W.S. Darley & Co. Police Supply catalog advertisementdescribes the knuckles like this:

Aluminum Knuckles

Light but strong. A handful of self-defense for thepoliceman in a tight pinch. Settles such emergen-cies better than arguments, without fuss or noise.Fits hand comfortably, carries nicely in pocket.


12

Photo from privatecollection.

CLASSIC BRITISH KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Makers: Various

It is unlikely that the classic British knuckle duster designdeveloped on its own, distinct from its American counterparts. Itdoes seem to take a variety of individual traits from the T-handleand classic American knuckles and blend them into a highly func-tional, very comfortable design. The four knuckle stalls are shapedto fit the hand in one direction only; the smallest finger has a stall

that will fit only itcomfortably and notthe index finger if it isput on the wrong way.Some of the AmericanT-handle designs dothe same thing.

The stalls are moreergonomically set outin a curve rather thanstraight across, echo-ing the American clas-sic design. The oneaspect that really setsthem apart, and isindeed a better design,is the way the stalls aremore oblong thanround and taper fromlarge at the top tosmall at the bottom.This allows for entryinto the stalls of theindividual finger


13


knuckles. When the knuckles clear the sides, the fingers settle intoa narrower, comfortable base. The fingers are not spread apart asmuch as with large round stalls, and the knuckle duster is easy toget on and off.

The British design was produced for decades and sold bysporting goods companies alongside shotguns, rifles, and other“outdoor” items. Most examples are very well made, cast frombrass and alu-minum andeven preciousmetals as well.They do varyin size, withsome of thesmaller exam-ples being dif-ficult to put onif the wearer’shands are ofmedium size orlarger. It mustbe rememberedthat in the earlypart of the 20thcentury, menwere on aver-age somewhatsmaller thantoday, and theBritish knuckleduster was cre-ated to fitsnuggly.


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MAILED FIST KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Maker: Mailed Fist Manufacturing Co., Utica, New York

Created by W.A. Hicks in the early part of the 20th century,the Mailed Fist was the first (and possibly last) attempt to create abusiness venture solely around a single production knuckle dusterdesign. Aimed at the law enforcement market, the Fist was present-ed as a less-than-lethal alternative to firearms and billy clubs. Theliterature accompanying each set of Fists states that Mr. Hicks hadenjoyed a long career in law enforcement and had designed theseknuckle dusters for his own use. Likely made from aluminum, theFist appears to be cut from bar stock rather than cast. It isdescribed as “light in weight” and so could not be made from brassor steel. Sold in pairs, each Fist had a unique serial number andwas registered to the owner. An attempt was made to patent the


15

design, but searches show this was unsuccessful. Not much isknown about how long the Mailed Fist Manufacturing Co. was inbusiness or how many Fists were sold.

Consisting of four round finger stalls above a uniquely config-ured palm swell, the Mailed Fist is unlike any other knuckle dustermade. The finger stalls are well laid out in a gentle curve, but theyare spaced too far apart and are too small to fit even a medium-sized hand. Even the pictures supplied with the Fist show a wearerwith it only on the second knuckle bones of the hand. The replicathat was created for this chapter was difficult to get on over theknuckle joint, mak-ing it impractical forquick deployment.The palm swell isalso strange in that itis very uncomfort-able. While mostknuckle dustersemploy a convex out-ward curve, theMailed Fist utilizes aconcave inwardcurve, which is hardto hold.

Despite its defi-ciencies, the MailedFist is a collector’sdream, especiallycoming with theoriginal box andpapers. It once againshows how theknuckle duster wasseen as a viable tool


16

Replica photo from private collection.

for law enforcement prior to being vilified by the media.Documents provided by Steve Michaluk.


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2Chapter

19

THE KNUCKLE DUSTER GOES TO WAR

In the early part of the 20th century, countries conducted war-fare differently than they do today. The advent of the machine gun,better artillery, and the use of aircraft made the old ways of combatseem obsolete. This became obvious during World War I as theopposing sides lined up and spread out in trenches across Europe.Mass charges were bloody and ineffective, and a stalemate settled inon the battlefield. Frontline soldiers, however, required handweapons to augment the slow bolt-action rifles that were difficult toutilize as a striking weapon in the close quarters of an enemy trench.Soldiers used a variety of knives, bayonets, trench clubs, andentrenching tools to fight hand-to-hand with their enemies.

The U.S. and British troops were issued or privately pur-chased knives with knuckle duster handles, such as the AmericanMark I and the Robbins of Dudley knives (see Knuckle Dustersand Knuckle Knives, available from Paladin Press). Some exam-ples of knuckle dusters with British Broad Arrow property markshave been seen, and knuckles purchased privately may have madeit into the trenches as well. The Austrians provided an iron knuck-le duster to some troops, but overall it was a rare and largelyundocumented armament.

After World War I, the knuckle duster saw some service with theOffice of Strategic Services (OSS) and was carried by agents behindthe lines, but it largely drops out of sight in military situations.

WORLD WAR I AUSTRIAN MILITARY-ISSUE KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Maker: H. Steinbruck, Graz, Austria

Produced during World War I, both of these sets of knuckledusters are rare examples of the weapons given to frontlineAustrian troops to fight with in the trenches. Because they wereconstructed on a curve with no palm swell, it is entirely possiblethey were meant to be held along with another weapon, likely abayonet or trench knife. The four round finger stalls are not largeenough to fit gloved hands but have plenty roomy for bare fingersto slide into.The one sethas six spikesalong the topedge: four ontop and twoon either sidefor inflictingdamage dur-ing a hammerblow. Theother set hasonly fourspikes on thetop edge.Both are castfrom iron andprone to rust.

Both setsof knuckledusters arecompact and


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massive at the same time. The way they are designed means thereis little extra metal surrounding the finger stalls; having no palmswell really reduces the footprint. Despite this, the knuckles areweighty due to the thickness; they are 0.625 inch thick, and veryheavy, being made from iron. The curved design fits the hand nice-ly, and striking a solid mass with it does not hurt the hand. Indeed,it imparts a certain confidence in the user, something that washighly desirable in the trenches where close-quarter, hand-to-handcombat was quite normal.

The Knuckle Duster Goes to War

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BRITISH MILITARY-ISSUE KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Makers: Various

While the knuckle dusters in this section are arguably of thesame design as the classic British design presented earlier, theirnoteworthy feature is their acceptance by the military as a special-issue weapon. The mark on both examples that makes this clear isthe British “broad arrow” stamp, the official government propertymark found on most military-issue gear of the 20th century. Theset marked “A.K. & Co. 1915” has the broad arrow clearlystamped above the maker’s mark. The age is clear from the patinafinish on the brass, and the date stamp puts it in the middle ofWorld War I. The second example is more likely a presentationpiece created in limited or even one-off quantities. Cast from silver


22

Photo of silver/gold knuckle duster from private collection.

and plated in gold, this knuckle duster is smaller in size and alsostamped with a broad arrow mark. Age is undetermined, but it waslikely created before World War II.

Whether knuckle dusters were issued to and carried by anynumber of British soldiers is unknown. They were readily availablethrough sporting catalogs and were purchased privately along witha great variety of knuckle knives, particularly the Robbins ofDudley and Clements knives. It is also likely that British SpecialOperations Executive (SOE ) agents carried knuckle dusters likethese on operations. Their portability, concealability, and utilitywere perfect for a backup weapon, along with a garrote, knife, andsuppressed pistol.


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Photo of A.K. & Co. knuckle duster courtesy of Simon Arnold.

MODERN BRASS BC 41 KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Maker: Anonymous

Two of the rarest knuckle dusters desired by collectors are thevariations of the BC 41s made for the British military duringWorld War II. These knuckles were made along with the BC 41knuckle knife and likely issued to commandos and covert agents.The designs differ in that one has angular points atop the knuckleswhile the other is rounded and less likely to catch on clothing.Made from either steel or brass, very few originals are known toexist. One collector and knuckle maker has taken the designs andreproduced them as well as possible in 0.375-inch brass bar stock.Roughly 4 inches across, these compact knuckle dusters still haveplenty of weight to them, and the pointed ones are even moreeffective for causing damage. The oval cut into the palm reducesthe weight a little but is mostly for looks. The finger stalls are eachslightly different in size and shape, but all are radiused for a com-fortable fit.

Combining styles from both classic American knuckle dustersand traditional British designs gives the BC 41s their distinctivelook and feel. The British design elements are mostly in the fingerstall shapes. Made to fit the hand in only one way, the smalleststall only accommodates the little finger and is too tight anduncomfortable to house the index finger. The stalls are wider at thetop to accommodate the thick knuckles, and when they are throughthe holes, the rest of the finger slides down into a narrowed curvefor a very comfortable fit. The American influence can be seen inthe twin-pillar design attaching the palm swell to the base of theknuckle stalls.


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25

Photos from private collection.

SHEFFIELD-STYLE KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Makers: Various Sheffield companies

The knuckle duster pictured here is a copy of the handledesigned to become part of a knuckle knife that was produced bymultiple companies during World War I. The knuckle knives madein Sheffield were very popular with troops departing for the frontlines. Britain did not issue a duty knife, and so private purchaseweapons were common. Often known by the more common namesof one or two producers, this style of knife tended to be of goodquality, and collectors today love them.

This knuckle duster is made of brass and is quite hefty. Likemany British designs, both for knuckle dusters and knuckleknives, the finger stalls are finger specific (index finger does notfit well if worn the wrong way). Put on the hand properly, theknuckles are very comfortable. The palm swell does not have anopening, and this adds to the overall weight. A gentle curve alongthe lower edge makes it sit well in the hand. The palm swell isslightly curved inward on both sides, indicating it was made to bea knuckle duster and not for a knife. The knives made with thistype of handle had a straight cut on the one side where the blade’stang is attached.

Some versions with pointed knuckles exist and are similar tothe BC 41 knives and knuckle dusters, and were likely the inspira-tion for these World War II weapons.


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27


STONE KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Maker: Eugene W. Stone Sr.

One of the rarest and most sought-after knuckle dusters in theworld, the Stone knuckles were originally cast as handles for Stonecombat knives during World War II. Only a handful of the knuck-les were made, likely 10 in all, while several hundred knives werecrafted for servicemen. A work of art by any standard, the knuck-les consist of four contoured knuckle stalls above the gently curv-ing palm swell of the handle. At the butt end is a large, highlydetailed human skull that makes an excellent skull crusher. Theother end is a cobra’s head thatblends with the scaly body ofthe knuckle duster. The scalesthemselves allow for greatergrip and complete the appear-ance of the piece beautifully.

Eugene Stone was a mas-ter craftsman who madesome 300 variations of hisknuckle knife design. Theknuckles were cast from alu-minum and usually onto anexisting military blade suchas a KABAR or Camillusfighting knife. Stone madehis creations while servingaboard the USS Holland.


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Photo courtesy of Daniel White.

3Chapter

29

MODERN DESIGNS:MASS PRODUCTION, CUSTOMS,

AND COMBAT KNUCKLES

While the knuckle duster has remained available in limiteddesigns through most of the 20th century, it has seen a real resur-gence with new designs by both mass producers in Asia and cus-tom designers in the United States. Collectors of old knuckles arefinding new designs to fill out their collections, while first-timebuyers have a selection like never before.

It has only been in this new century that individuals are againlooking to specialized weapons for hand combat, and interest in theknuckle duster has increased. Soldiers again privately purchaseknives, tomahawks, and batons to augment their firearms and issuededged weapons. The biggest problem a friend of mine had while inBosnia was getting pulled into crowds that were demonstrating andrioting. Unable to bring his rifle into play due to bulky body armor,he carried a boot knife strapped to his web gear to fight his way out(shooting was not an option). The use of a collapsible or rigid batonwas not an option, and those who train in the martial arts know howeasy it is to strip one of these from an opponent in close quarters.My friend expressed great excitement when shown the new breed ofcombat knuckle dusters—their size, weight, portability, and durabili-ty would have been just the thing for nonlethal confrontation andself-defense for the situation he was in.

Today, such knuckle duster designers as Dalton CombatCutlery and Back Street Products have reinvented the knuckle

duster in heavier, more combat-effective designs. Moving awayfrom the concealable, smaller designs that barely fit the hand,these companies lean more to the massive, show-stopping shapesshowcased here. The other designs in this section come from ananonymous designer who produces combat knuckle dusters forSpecial Forces in various countries. Each piece is handmade andextremely rare. It is possible these designs will see mass produc-tion as interest grows in this effective piece of weaponry, but so farthere are no immediate plans for such production.


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“DAVE COURTNEY SPECIAL” KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Maker: Unknown

Dave Courtney is a world-class self-promoter and showmanwho has parlayed his life as a professional “naughty boy” ofBritain’s underworld into a life of celebrity on television, in booksand magazines, and even on film. Dave was a debt collector anddoorman, and his trademark equalizer was always his handy set ofknuckle dusters (sometimes two sets). Dave has often said that aman should not carry a weapon he is not prepared to use, andunfortunately too many deaths result from carrying a gun or knife.To Dave the knuckle duster is the ideal personal offensive weapon,and he has used it for years.

The DCS is designed after a style of knuckle duster that isagain unique but with elements of traditional American and British

Modern Designs: Mass Production, Customs, and Combat Knuckles

31


knuckles. The finger stalls are larger at the top of the oval, allow-ing for large fingers to pass larger knuckles through them, and nar-rower at the bottom for comfortable seating—very British. Thepalm swell is very much like classic American dusters, exceptthere is no opening or no protrusions on either side. Nevertheless,they are quite comfortable in the palm. At 0.375 inch thick andjust over 2 inches tall, these knuckles dusters at first seem toosmall to wrap a hand through and around, but in most cases theirsize is ideal.

At once elegant and small, the Dave Courtney Specials areeasy to tuck away, have no protrusions to snag on clothing, and arequick to get into. They pack enough weight and cover the knuckleperfectly for doing their intended job without discomfort.


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“PAPER WEIGHT” KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Maker: Unknown

During the 1970s and 1980s, ads appearing in firearms andsurvival magazines sold knuckle dusters at very affordable prices.These items were usually referred to as “paper weights” in order tocircumvent laws prohibiting their sale or importation. The paperweights were excellent, inexpensive designs created to fit the handwell; they are as good as earlier designs if not better. The knuckle


33


stalls are round and roomy enough for a larger hand, and the tradi-tional American design of the palm swell with two attaching postsfits nicely into the hand. The rounded knuckles are capped withsquared-off protrusions for added impact.

Available in plastic, aluminum, or brass, the paper weightknuckles were inexpensive and appealed to those interested in thisnovelty item. Thousands were shipped around the world, and the“paper weight” description fooled many custom agents, who wouldnot have let these weapons through their borders. Often arrivingwith very little finishing from the original casting process, theknuckles were quite rough to the touch and in need of somecleanup work. This was easily accomplished with a little sandpaperand some time.


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CHINESE MASS-PRODUCED KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Makers: Various

By far, Chinese manufacturers are the most dominating forcewhen it comes to making knuckle dusters. Their huge volumes,cheap prices, and interesting new designs and reproduction of oldmodels have solidified their presence in this market. Often pack-aged as belt buckles with a tapped hole and threaded stud, theseChinese models are sold worldwide in generic packaging with nomanufacturer’s name. Most are made from hard base metals thatare plated in silver nickel or brass-colored material, or painted avariety of colors. Screw-in spikes of various sizes and pointinessare common. Some outlandish models have been made, includingones with huge “batwing” blades or a gigantic single curved“chopper” blade.

The most common complaint about the Chinese knuckles is


35


the fit and size of the finger stalls. Some pieces are just too tightfor any but the smallest fingers. Another complaint is the fact thatsome manufacturers are knocking off some of the best designswithout any compensation to the originators of the designs. Aprime example is the “bottle opener” design that resembles an owlcreated by Back Street Products and stolen by Chinese makers.

While the Chinese have used the classic American design mostoften—and to varying degrees of quality—some of the designs arequite uniquely pleasing to the eye. Width of the knuckle dustersvaries from 0.3 inch to close to 1 inch. The thickness of the metalalso varies, with some of the examples being around 2mm. Theyare all quite sturdy, however, and since most are well under $20,they are a cheap investment.


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4Chapter

37

MODERN CUSTOMS

CUSTOM MALTESE CROSS KNUCKLE DUSTERS

Maker: Anonymous

The Maltese cross has become very popular among custommotorcycle builders and owners, and bikers just happen to beamong the biggest users and collectors of knuckle dusters. So thecombination of the cross and the knuckle duster is a natural stylis-tic fit.


The maker of the knuckle dusters shown below concurs thatthe cross was an obvious design to incorporate into a customknuckle duster design. Both models make use of the natural palmswell of the lower arm of the cross. Four finger stalls are placed ona curve, and the overall combination is quite comfortable. Theimpact edge, whether curved or straight, is sufficient to ensure anappropriate effect. Cut from 0.25-inch brass bar stock, theseknuckles are fairly heavy, and their overall size is larger than mostknuckle dusters. The curved set fits easily into a pocket, but bothare prone to hanging up on clothing when withdrawn quickly.


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CUSTOM TWO-FINGER STYLES

Maker: Anonymous

Although not nearly as popular or prevalent as the four-fingermodels, two-finger knuckle dusters have been around for probablyas long. They present certain advantages in concealability, reducedweight, and ability to be disguised as something else. Bottle open-er designs that are practical for actually popping a cap yet can eas-ily slide onto the hand are found in such shapes as cats and owlswith the “eyes” being the finger stalls.

The Tiki design shown below (left) is another good style fit forthe two-finger knuckle duster. In this case, the “mouth” of the Tikiserves as the single finger stall and nicely fits a pair of fingers,while the “body” makes up the palm swell. The more generic,plain design (right) is a fairly typical two-finger style that has beenseen in dug-up 19th-century relics as well as knuckle knives fromWorld War II where the blade emerges from between the knuckles.

While both examples are rather roughly finished, they arecomfortable, handy, and able to do the job quite well.

Modern Customs

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5Chapter

41

MODERN COMBAT KNUCKLE DUSTERS

DALTON COMBAT CUTLERY WARFIST—PLAIN,HARDRIDE, AND WARHORSE CHOPPERS

Maker: Dalton Combat Cutlery

I encountered the Dalton Combat Cutlery Warfist while doingsome research on knuckle duster designs for a collector who want-ed to produce custom pieces. I came across the Dalton CollectorsForum on-line, and what I saw sent my heart racing. Here was aproduction knuckle duster that was made in the United States,obviously purpose-designed and built for combat. The fact thatDalton makes some of the best switchblades in the world onlyincreased my admiration for this maker. The Warfist was a carry-over of the combination knuckle duster and switchblade designseen in Dalton’s Interrogator models shown in Chapter 6.

The Warfist is one big knuckle duster, designed along tradi-tional American lines, and is a great combination of weapon andwork of art. There are three factors that go into making an effec-tive knuckle duster: size and weight, striking surface, and comfort.The Warfist meets all the requirements; it is heavy and massive,has four sweeping points atop the top edge, and fits larger handscomfortably. The large, round finger stalls can accommodate thelargest fingers, and the piece slips onto the hand easily. The

straight-across palm swell takes some getting used to, but all edgesare radiused and smooth, as is the entire unengraved surface of thePlain Warfist.

DCC first announced the Warfist on May 28, 2005, and it wasan instant success. ThePlain version has fiveholes drilled into it anda satin finish for anindustrial, businesslikelook. The fancierengraved versionoffered for sale isknown as the“Hardride.” It has thismoniker engravedacross the palm, alongwith the DCC Maltesecross, the Dalton Devil


42

Photos, descriptions, and production information provided byMark Kukelkorn.

seen on a few of their knives, and a pentagram. “DALTON” is alsospelled out across the surface around the finger stalls and linkedby curved, engraved lines. The Hardride also has five holes drilledin the palm swell. Perfectly curved inlets on the palm swells of theWarfist look almost like bottle openers and give a slight talonappearance that fits so well with the overall shape.

A third and very rare variation was offered by DCC for sale at

Modern Combat Knuckle Dusters

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their shop only. The Warhorse Choppers version has all the samedesign elements as the Hardride but with different engraving. Agalloping stallion with “WARHORSE CHOPPERS” adorns thepalm, while six tiny Maltese crosses surround the finger stalls.

Hopefully, Dalton will add to its selection of Warfists in thefuture. It is wonderful to have an alternative to the Chinese- manufactured knuckle dusters, especially ones that carry on thetradition of American weapon design likes the Warfist. It would begreat to see other knife makers take the leap and fill a long-stand-ing void by producing high-quality, functional knuckle dusters.The market and the collector’s desire are certainly there. Dalton iswell positioned and has already taken the lead with its risky andinnovative offerings.


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COPY OF DALTON WARFIST

Maker: Anonymous

A handmade copy of the Dalton Combat Cutlery Warfist, thisset of knuckle dusters was made to fit the owner. The Warfist issuch a huge weapon, but it has an excellent shape. This collectorwanted a Warfist that could fit his medium-sized hands, and theones he bought from DCC were just too big. This copy is cut from0.375-inch thick brass as compared to the DCC model at 0.5 inch.It is also somewhat less wide and does not spread the fingers outas much, making it more comfortable to use while striking. Thefour points on the top edge of these knuckles are ideal for inflict-ing maximum damage on a target. The weight is still substan-tial,but does not pull down the pants like the Warfist. The large,round finger stalls are easy to access, and the edges are slightlyradiused for comfort.

Not having the engraved lines, lettering, and signature icons ofthe Hardride Warfist—as well as the five drilled holes in the palm


45


section of both the Plain and Hardride Warfists—certainly takesaway from the aesthetic appeal of this copy. But because it wasmade more for everyday carry and defense (according to the ownerwho has both Warfists in his collection), it does the job it wasmeant to do.

The owner of this custom model was delighted when DCCfirst produced its own designs of knuckle dusters, and all knuckleduster fans likely share this sentiment.


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COPY INSPIRED BY DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND

Maker: Anonymous

This set of serious knuckle dusters was inspired by DaltonCombat Cutlery’s Devil’s Playground combination knuckle dusterand switchblade (discussed in Chapter 6). Unlike the Warfist, whichDCC made to complement its Interrogator model, the Devil’sPlayground has not inspired its designer to produce a plain knuckleduster with a similar style.

The maker of this set of knuckle duster has followed the Devil’sPlayground design faithfullywith a single opening for allfour fingers and pointedprotrusions on the top edgeof the knuckles reminiscentof flames. The palm swell isstraight across with curvedinlets cut into it. At 0.375inch, this copy is substantial-ly thinner than its inspira-tion. Despite this, it is com-fortable to hold and strikewith. The single openingallows for quick graspingand releasing of the piece.The number of sharp, pointyprotrusions confirms theserious damage this weaponcan inflict. The design sets anew benchmark for modernknuckle dusters in terms oflooks and utility.


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COPY OF AUSTRIAN WORLD WAR I MILITARY-ISSUE KNUCKLE DUSTER

Maker: Anonymous

Like the original Austrian knuckles, which are very rare, thesemodern brass equivalents are heavy, concealable, easily carried, andcan achieve the desired effect from the striking surface. The protru-sions above each knuckle stall and on either end increase theamount of damage that can be done whether from a straight punch,a “hammer” blow, or upward strike. The round finger stalls are eas-ily accessed and are very comfortable.

When the maker of this set of knuckle dusters went lookingfor a functional, unique design, he came across the Austrian military-issue knuckles seen in chapter 2. Having access to a pair,he tried them on and recognized that even though the design wasnearly 100 years old, the pair met the requirements for modernuse. Milling the copy from 0.5-inch brass bar stock and formingthe desired shape was a fairly basic operation, and a suitable like-ness was achieved. The biggest surprise was how comfortablethese knuckles are when held in a closed fist. The lack of palmswell that is found on most designs could be seen as a potentialproblem, but these knuckles are some of the most comfortable outthere, be they the original iron Austrian ones or these modernones. The fingers actually tuck under the thick bottom under thefinger stalls, enabling a firm grasp. The gentle curves and smoothradiuses are very pleasant and ensure that there is pain to the handwhen striking.


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RAT TAIL

Maker: Anonymous

With simple lines and a blending of old and new designs, theRat Tail knuckle duster fits many different needs. As a strikingweapon, this piece combines heavy weight with a large surfaceacross the top edge of the knuckles. The large, curved spike addsutility as a “skull crusher” for piercing bone, glass, or armor. Therounded, radiused edges make for smooth entry and exit frompockets or holsters, and a very comfortable grip. The grip is fur-ther aided and enhanced by the open finger stall design that com-bines rounded uppers and lowers with no separation between thestalls. This open stall design increases the ability of the user to getthe Rat Tail onto the hand and into action.

Comfort, utility, and good looks come to mind when viewingand using the Rat Tail. Even at 6 inches wide and 0.5-inch thick,this knuckle duster is portable and concealable. The large spikeeven seems to help to get the Rat Tail into a pocket, and there isnothing to catch on clothing. The large single knuckle opening iseasily indexed when located with the fingers. It slips on and offquickly. The lack of a palm swell does not affect the grip since theshape allows for a tight, firm grasp on this knuckle duster. Thisknuckle duster is a good choice for both self-defense carry or forcombat applications.


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BABY RAT TAIL I AND II

Maker: Anonymous

A smaller, more compact version of the Rat Tail, the Baby RatTail is a full inch shorter in length and several ounces lighter. Theknuckle stalls are closer together, and the skull crusher spike is notas long. The smaller size does not diminish the effectiveness ofthese knuckle dusters. They are still quite a handful and are simplymore concealable and easier to carry. The grooves within theknuckle stall are closer together and put the fingers in a natural,comfortable position, making for a tighter, firmer grip. The BabyRat Tail II is also easy to grip despite the lack of finger grooves.The striking surfaces, both the upper edge and the rat tail spike,are more than adequate for an effective strike.

Smooth,radiused edgeswithin the knucklestall and also on theupper and lowerexternal edgesmake the Baby RatTail I enjoyable towear on the hand.The Baby Rat TailII has a singlesmooth stall with-out any grooves.The curved shape,combined with theopen-stall design,gives the hand anatural, intuitiveplace to grasp. The


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Baby Rat Tails are an excellent balance of size, weight, strikingsurface, and comfort. They sacrifice little in terms of utilitydespite the reduction in size, as compared with the larger Rat Tail.Indeed the size, shape, and weight are not that different from thefeel of a large combat folding knife in the pocket.

Available in very limited production, the Baby Rat Tails werecreated for military personnel and security professionals.Handmade from 0.5-inch brass stock, each one is unique. It is pos-sible the Baby Rat Tails will be produced in larger amounts, but, asit is, they are highly collectible if they can be found.


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HAMMER FIST

Maker: Anonymous

Drawing on the shape of the Austrian World War I knuckleduster for the position and shape of the finger stalls and shape ofthe main body, this craftsman has gone the further step of incorpo-rating a weapon design from medieval times. The European warhammer was used in many countries over the centuries as an effec-tive striking weapon whether the user was on foot or mounted. Thewar hammer consisted of a shaft of varying length upon which aheavy hammerhead was mounted. The hammer consisted of a flator multispiked surface at one end and a curved spike on the otherfor piercing heavy armor. Often another spike topped the hammer,making it even more lethal. This set of knuckle dusters removes thehaft and puts the finger stalls right into the main body of the piece.The hammerhead shape of the one end is used for crushing blowsand can destroy bone or flesh with even a glancing impact. Thelarge, curved spike tapers to a point that can pierce clothing and theflesh underneath, or smash through glass or thin metal easily. Thecurved upper edge of the knuckle duster offers plenty of protectionas well as a large striking surface when punching.

The Hammer Fist is a large weapon, as far as knuckle dustersgo. It is more than 6.5 inches long from end to end and 0.5 inchthick. The flat hammerhead surface is almost 1.5 inches tall, andthe spike is 1.5 inches long. The finger stalls are round and roomy,and allow for grasping the Hammer Fist with the head to one sideor the other, though the best orientation is with the flat surfacenearest the small finger and the thumb curved along the bottomedge of the spike. The weight of the Hammer Fist increases itseffectiveness, as do the multiple striking areas. And while it ismassive and more difficult to conceal than a traditional knuckleduster, this weapon is reasonably easy to carry and access. Madefor combat soldiers, the Hammer Fist carries on a trend in “what


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was once old is new again” as far as personal combat weapons go;it fits with the emerging use of tomahawks and larger combatknives in the field.


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BACK STREET PRODUCTS CUSTOM KNUCKLE DUSTER

Maker: Mr. Knuckles, Back Street Products

Known for its outstanding craftsmanship and sole focus onknuckle dusters, Back Street Products sets the bar for customknuckles. Offering a variety of styles and using top-of-the-linewoods and leathers to accent over-built creations, BSP designedits knuckle dusters for good looks and hard use, and they willlast forever.

The model seen here is the Humpback, customized to meet abuyer’s individual needs and taste. Cut from brass stock, theknuckles are engraved and feature a custom wood grip on the palmswell. The finish is Mr. Knuckles’ signature antique look. Theweight is an impressive 254 grams (approximately 9 ounces). Allthe edges are radiused for a comfortable fit.


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Photo courtesy of Back Street Products.

While many cheap production knuckle dusters are thinly made,Back Street Products’ custom pieces go the other direction. Solid,massive, and made to fit even those with large hands, BSP canmeet any customer’s needs. Pricing is very reasonable, and cus-tomized designs are readily available.


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6Chapter

57

KNUCKLE DUSTER COMBINATION WEAPONS

From the earliest times of knuckle duster production, ingeniouscraftsmen have combined other types of weapons to create effectiveself-defense and offensive weapons. Guns, knives, and batons haveall been enhanced with the addition of knuckle dusters. The tradi-tion continues today, most notably with knuckle knives.

THEATER-MADE KNUCKLE KNIVES

Makers: Various

The most popular combination of knuckle duster with anotherweapon is the knuckle knife. There are as many designs with eitherknuckle stalls or the popular D-guard style handle as there are reg-ular knuckles.

Knuckle knives became popular during World War I whenBritish troops privately purchased knuckle knives for their forayinto the trenches. Such makers as Robbins of Dudley and manySheffield knife manufacturers created beautiful and functionalknives incorporating the knuckle duster. The United States pro-duced two types of knuckle knives for its soldiers, the 1917 and1918 models (see Knuckle Dusters and Knuckle Knives). DuringWorld War II, the tradition of privately purchased knuckle knivescontinued, and craftsmen in Australia, New Zealand, Britain, andthe United States filled this need with some unusual and highlysought-after designs.

The three knives presented here are excellent and very rareexamples of the type of theater-made knives created duringWorld War I and World War II. These weapons represent a typi-cal form of manufacturing: a custom or production blade thathas an alloy handle cast directly onto the blade, creating astrong, effective grip.


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Knuckle Duster Combination Weapons

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Photos provided by Lt. Col. Jeb Bishop.

CUSTOM-MADE APPLEBY KNUCKLE KNIFE

Maker: Robert Appleby, Appleby Knives

Going back to the traditions of thetwo world wars, this knife embodies allthe attributes a combat soldier couldwant in a fighting knife. The knuckleduster grip has four stalls and blacklinen micarta scales. The hex headscrews that fix the scales to the handlecan be removed for complete disman-tling. The hefty blade is 0.25 inchthick, double hollow ground, parker-ized black finished, and forged from 0-1 steel. At its widest point, the blade is1.5 inches wide and 9.625 inches long.The overall length is 14.75 inches.

Robert Appleby is a master blade-smith known for his outstanding atten-tion to detail and quality. The knuckleknife presented here is an excellentexample of his work. With clean linesand the perfect combination of looksand utility, the knife would be at homeon any battlefield, past or present. Formore on Mr. Appleby’s work, go to hissite: www.applebyknives.com/.


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Photo provided byAppleby Knives.

OSS “HATPIN” KNUCKLE KNIFE

Maker: Unknown

One of the many covert operations weapons created during theWorld War II, this interesting knuckle dagger is purported to havebeen created by the OSS, the precursor of the CIA, or possibly theBritish SOE. The combination of three knuckle stalls and a narrow,5.25-inch dagger blade makes for a purpose-built assassin’sweapon. The cast-aluminum knuckle duster handle keeps the piecelightweight, and the whole combination has a low profile and iseasily concealed. The handle finish is a black coating, while theblade is deeply blued for a stealthy look.

This is not the typical knuckle knife for combat. Indeed, itwould work well for one purpose only: the quiet dispatch of anenemy, likely from behind. The blade is not large or strong enoughto serve as a utility blade, and the position of the blade makes itunwieldy for anything but a forward thrust. It is a nice design forthat purpose and can be pushed into a target effectively and cleanlywith great control provided by the knuckle duster grip.


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DALTON COMBAT CUTLERY INTERROGATOR


Likely the most innovative automatic knife manufacturer anddesigner working today is Robbie Dalton of Dalton CombatCutlery. His work with rock-solid, side-opening and in-line (OTF,out the front) switchblades is legendary, and he has a following ofdedicated collectors who eagerly await each innovative and oftenmind-blowing creation. Indeed, it was some of Mr. Dalton’s prod-ucts that inspired the creation of this book: those designs that havea deadly side-opening curved blade emerging from one side of amodernized classic American knuckle duster. This style combina-tion could have been a horrible monstrosity, a mediocre curiosity,or what it really is: a fierce combat weapon that transcends tradi-tional knuckle knife designs and is just really cool.

The DCC Interrogator catches the eye immediately. The heftybrass construction of the body of the piece will be appreciated byknuckle duster collectors and users for its tried-and-true tradi-tional shape. The four finger stalls are placed in a comfortable,usable curve. The palm swell with two posts attached to the mainbody is gently curved and sits in the hand perfectly. The protrud-ing knife section of the knuckle duster body provides a naturalplace for the thumb to rest and guide the blade for cutting or towork the blade release button. Blades in the Interrogator modelscome in bead-blasted, satin, two-tone, and Damascus. Some havea slot machined into the blade. The shape of the blade is ideal fora sweeping slash, or for an additional cut once the knuckles havemade impact. The secure grip provided by the knuckle dusterdesign is further enhanced by the protection provided by themetal covering the fist. The intimidation factor of a heavy knuck-le duster and a lightning fast switchblade is huge when the twoare combined.

Aesthetically, these knuckle duster switchblades are simply


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stunning. Coming in a variety of eye-catching models that are dis-tinguished by the engravings machined into them, the Interrogatorsscream cool. Each theme—the Irish “Knuck-o-the-Irish,” the Fuckthe World (FTW), Bad Mother Trucker (BMT), the Bad MotherFucker (BMF), the Excalibur, the Machine Gun Shoot)—exhibitshumor and style that add to the look and feel of these pieces.

Introduced in early 2005, the Interrogators became popularwith collectors right away, and new, very limited editions weresnapped up immediately. Hopefully, DCC will offer more exam-ples of this great design in the future, as well as continuing tocome up with more innovative models that combine knuckledusters and automatic knives (see Devil’s Playground on page 65).

Production Numbers

Variety of Handle EngravingsFTW: 119 Pay Up Sucker: 19 Excalibur logo: 29 Biker Chick BMF: 20 Biker Chick BMT: 24 Devil BMF: 39 Devil BMT: 20


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Irish: 7 (1 full satin) Machine Gun Shoot: 13

Damasteel Damascus Blade VariationsExcalibur logo: 5 Biker Chick BMF: 1Irish: 6 Machine Gun Shoot: 3 Pay Up Sucker: 4 Biker Chick BMT: 1 FTW: 3 Devil BMF: 11


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Photos, information, and production information provided byMark Kukelkorn.

DALTON COMBAT CUTLERY DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND


Never one to rest on his laurels, Robbie Dalton introduced theDevil’s Playground at the end of the Interrogator production run.This creation was the further refinement of the outstanding andunique Interrogator.

From a knuckle duster standpoint, the Devil’s Playground offerseasier accessibility for getting the hand securely placed within thebody of the weapon. The single finger stall has individual groovesfor each digit that are not separated by the usual posts. Aside fromadding to ease and speed of access, the grooves are even more com-fortable without the added pressure of the posts that is felt when thegrip is tightened. Due to the massive construction, there is no riskof the upper edge compressing the fingers.

Aside from the innovative finger stall, the major style differ-ence from the original Interrogator models is the addition ofsweeping spiked protrusions atop each of the knuckle edges. Thesespikes give the Devil’s Playground an even more sinister appear-ance as well as added impact performance while striking or rakingwhile using the cutting edge of the blade. An awesome combina-


65

Photo, information, and production information provided byMark Kukelkorn.

tion of deadly components makes up this weapon, yet it sacrificesnone of the good looks of its predecessor; far from it, the Devil’sPlayground may actually look better.

Collectors will want to keep their eyes open for these rareDCC pieces, as only 58 were produced.


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LE CENTENAIRE KNUCKLE DUSTER PISTOL

Made in France or Belgium

This combination knuckle duster and .22 pistol is of a fairlysimple design. The knuckle duster is a basic European design com-mon at the end of the 19th century. Four finger stalls are atop a T-post attached to the palm swell, which is the pistol barrel and hous-es the action of the gun. The pistol fires a small round, single-shot,and the shell casing must be ejected using a push rod. The barrel issmooth bore with no rifling. To fire, the middle finger is hookedinto one of the finger stalls and the index finger finds the triggerwhile the remaining two fingers hook under the knuckles

Stylistically, the Centenaire is a very pretty piece: it is small,elegant, balanced, symmetrical, and very light (approximately 150grams, or 5.3 ounces). This weapon is rare and much sought afterby both collectors of knuckle dusters and unique firearms.


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68



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DOLNE “APACHE” KNIFE-PISTOL-KNUCKLE DUSTER

Manufactured by L. Dolne in Liège, Belgium

Known as the “Apache” because it was supposed to have beenused by 19th-century French gangsters of the same name, theDolne gun is quite a curiosity. In its closed form, it is a bulkyknuckle duster, but it can open to become a small 7mm pinfirepistol with an extended kris (wavy) blade extending from under-neath the almost nonexistent barrel. This combination was unfor-tunately quite weak. The 7mm pinfire round was vastly under-powered, and the blade was thin and rotated on a weak pivot. Itmay have had a certain intimidation factor to it, however, and thatcannot be underestimated.


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Sought by collectors in a number of fields, the Dolne Apachecombination is certainly of interest to those who are interested inknuckle dusters. The knuckles themselves may have proven themost effective part of the weapon. They provided two ways to holdthe weapon: closed, the bearer could slip his fingers through thestalls; and open, the fist could be wrapped around the knuckles. Iftwo weapons are better than one, the Dolne goes one better—mak-ing a trio of weapons available to the user.


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DELHAXHE KNUCKLE/KNIFE/GUN

Manufactured by Joseph Delhaxhe

Likely manufactured in Liège, Belgium, the Delhaxhe was acombination weapon made to be concealed and to offer the bearerthe option of stabbing, shooting, or pummeling his opponent.Unlike the Dolne weapon, the Delhaxhe did not need to be“opened.” It could be fired with the knuckle duster grip firmly onthe fist, which allowed the bearer to punch, shoot, or both. Theblade could be pivoted outward into place and was in position for adownward stab if needed. Typically made from brass and steel, thewhole combination weighed around 1 pound, fit in a pocket, andwas ready for use in case of emergency

The 7mm pinfire round may not have been much, but the double-action revolver could fire quickly and was not rendereduseless once emptied. The knife blade and knuckle duster handlecould be brought into action at any time. Likely the site of such aweapon would be enough to scare off a would-be attacker,although in low light it might appear to be just a knuckle duster.Though an interesting weapon, the Delhaxhe never really mademuch of an impact in the market.


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K.O. GLOVE LEATHER KNUCKLE DUSTER

Made for Darley Police Supply

An early vision of sap gloves (shot-filled leather gloves), theK.O. Glove consisted of a leather strap with a pocket of shot rest-ing across the knuckles. The advertisement from the W.S. Darley& Co. Police Supply catalog speaks for itself.

“NEW K.O. Glove for POLICE—Humane and Effective”

Very handy and effective for an Officer in atight spot. In an emergency or when a policemanor deputy finds himself against a couple of hugsor tough guys, the K.O. Glove does the business.Sometimes a billy or club is too conspicuous andcreates the wrong impression on citizenbystanders. The new Glove is so compact and fitsso snugly that you can use it without attractingattention. When trouble breaks, a couple of fastswings and the work is done. When it’s all over thetough is thinking what a wallop you pack!

Better than metal knuckles because morehumane. Leaves no mark—can’t break the skin. Itjust rocks ’em to sleep with an old-fashioned K.O.

Fits the hand comfortably. Saves your knuck-les. Carries easily in the pocket. Adjustable to fitany size hand.

Made from heavy russet leather of good quali-ty. Double stitching all around for durability andstrength. Loaded with shot which gives little onimpact. Deals a clean, safe, humane knockoutblow. Back is padded a little for your protection.


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Great in a free-for-all battle. YOU CAN’T LOSTIT. Only 4.5 in. long. Weights about 6 oz.

SOME OFFICERS WEAR IT ACROSS THEPALM OF THE HAND, USING IT AS A SLAP-PER.


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7Chapter

77

The knuckle duster design has been popular for both the addedimpact it gives to a weapon and the enhanced protection it offersthe wearer’s hand. The following patents have been granted, and theproducts created from them have met with a variety of commercialsuccess. All should be of interest to the knuckle duster collector.

VARIOUS KNUCKLE DUSTERRELATED PATENTS

SURVIVAL TOOL 1

This handy design incorporates the curved finger stalls of theknuckle duster partnered with a chunky, rounded palm swell andtopped with a rounded knife edge with partial serrations.Conversion to an ax head is accomplished by pushing the tool intoa slotted piece of wood and clamping into place.


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SURVIVAL TOOL 2

This piece is designed to fit the hand like a traditional knuckleduster with a curved set of finger stalls and comfortable palmswell. The addition of a knife blade across the knuckles makes fora useful slicing tool and can be adapted quickly to make the toolinto an ax head for chopping. Compact and easily stuffed into apack, this survival tool would be a benefit to any outdoorsman.

Various Knuckle Duster Related Patents

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SPRING-MOUNTED KNUCKLE KNIFE

This contraption blends the knuckle duster and punch knife ina way that makes this weapon look quite lethal. The blade of theknife is hidden away until the two parts of the knuckle duster arecompressed together and the blade is pushed forward through aslot. The middle finger and the index finger are spread far apart,making this quite an uncomfortable fit. Carrying this uniqueweapon would be difficult as well because an unwanted compres-sion would allow for the unveiling of the blade.


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ROUND-FINGER STALL KNUCKLE DUSTER

Described as an assailant-deterrent weapon, this item is likelyto be made from plastic and has the same qualities of many tradi-tional knuckle dusters.


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OYSTER SHUCKER

While not described as a weapon, the oyster shucker is a viabledesign that incorporates an in-line, sliding knife blade within thepalm swell of a knuckle duster. The knuckles are supposed to pro-tect much of the hand from the hard, sharp oyster shells while pry-ing them open with the blade.


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MACHETE DAGGER

This nicely designed knuckle duster handle supports a serratedblade that juts out from the wearer’s fist. It has a nice ergonomicdesign and easily adapts to a more combat suitable blade.


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NOVAK KNUCKLE DUSTER PISTOL

This is a small combined weapon consisting of an elegant single-shot pistol whose barrel sits between two finger stalls. Asmall trigger fires the device.


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HOLLINSHEAD RAM KNIFE

A nicely designed knife with a double-finger stall and a palmgrip for all four fingers, the Hollinshead Ram Knife has a stableplatform for a push dagger.


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HARSTAD DAGGER

An interesting combination of a knuckle bow and dual bladesat either end, this weapon could prove interesting for deploymentand storage. It looks comfortable and fairly lethal.


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HARRISON KNUCKLE KNIFE

A somewhat traditional knuckle knife, this item incorporatesfour curved finger stalls, a T-handle palm swell, and a single-edgedblade. The knife has a sheath or cover that fits over the blade whilenot in use and then folds back over the handle to form part of thegrip when the blade is exposed.


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BATON WITH KNUCKLE STRAP

Obviously an unremarkable baton design with the addition of ashot-filled strap based on the K.O. Glove design (seen in Chapter6), this baton adds protection for the baton wielder with the addedpunch of the sap-like knuckle cover.


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Web Sites

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David Grant, Knuckle Dusters and Knuckle Knives and History ofKnuckle Dusterswww.knuckledusterbook.com

Plowshare Forge, World War I Knuckle Knife Reproductionswww.homepage.mac.com/dbrock76/Menu8.html

Back Street Products Custom Knuckle Dusterswww.bsproducts.net/index3.htm

Brass Knuckle Collector Clubwww.groups.yahoo.com/group/brassknucklescollectorclub/

Dalton Knives Picture Gallerywww.mywebpages.comcast.net/km4yk/Dalton.html

Appleby Kniveswww.applebyknives.com/