The WWI (British) Private Purchase Clements Knife (a few examples).

[MilitariaOne]

Greetings all,

This will be a closed reference thread. According to British knives’ guru Ron Flook, the Clements firm is a long-established cutlery retailing firm in London. These styled knives were most likely made by George Ibberson and Sutherland and Rhoden, both of these firms were located in Sheffield.” These makers’ marks are sometimes found on the knives as well. These were private purchase knives and as seen in the period picture, the Americans occasionally carried them too. In any case, these knives were the precursor to WWII’s BC-41 and their larger Australian clones. Finally, many of these WWI “Clements” knives saw service once again in WWII.

Happy (Almost) New Year!

V/r Lance

Double click to enlarge image.

[MilitariaOne]

An unmarked Brass Handled Variant.

[MilitariaOne]

A “Sutherland and Rhoden Silversmiths & Cutlers Sheffield” Aluminum Handled Variant.


- - ------- - -

A double marked “Clements” Gutta Percha & Alloy Handled Variant.

[MilitariaOne]

An unmarked Gutta Percha & Alloy Handled Variant.

[MilitariaOne]

Another aluminum variant, with a different blade's style (reminiscent of the French M1916 or the U.S. M1918 Mk.I) Not in my collection, but most worthy of sharing for reference purposes, photo courtesy of Collector's Guild.

[MilitariaOne]

Yet, another aluminum variant, blade marked with “Clement Gray, Sheffield, England.” Note, the interesting and unique scabbard. Not in my collection, but most worthy of sharing for reference purposes, photo courtesy of Great Scott Antiques.

[MilitariaOne]

Greetings all,

Here is an advert from The Times dated January 31, 1918, which offers this thread's styled knife for sale.

Best,

Lance

Double click on image to enlarge.

[MilitariaOne]

Greetings all,

These two examples have sold recently. The solid aluminum handled one is interesting as it only possess two (instead of the more often encountered three) attachments/mounts to the blade. And the other, because it is maker marked. Thank you, to the original photographers.

Best,

V/r Lance

Double click on images to enlarge.