Imperial German / Austrian WWI Spring Handle Trench Club

17-5/8" overall, has tightly coiled spring shaft with a star mace pattern steel striker with maker initials "FKG", turned wood grip has metal ferrule and pommel cap, turned with ridges for grip and an inset channel for a leather retaining strap which is no longer present.    There are several chips and small insect holes in the wood handle, and oxidation on the spring and striker.  Nice mellow patina throughout.  We have always thought of these spring handle clubs as being Austrian devices; as the Austrians seemed to focus so much of their time and effort on building new and unique trench clubs.. but in his reference "At Arm's Length", author David Machnicki cites period photographic evidence of these clubs in use by German troops.   $600 - $800