A Great War Royal Welsh Fusiliers Knife.
The fearsome weapon used by the Royal Welsh Fusiliers during the Great War, privately provided by Lord Howard de Walden to his battalion. The design was based on an ancient Welsh knife known as the Cledd. Designed and patented by the well known sculptor, artist and designer Felix Joubert in 1917, the blade and hilt are forged from one piece with a circular fold back hand guard, which is fitted via a slot in the hilt. The hilts were always cord bound, this example has the full motto of ‘DROS URDDAS CYMRU’ to the ricasso, other examples can be found without this motto. It also has its small ‘J’ over ‘O’ stamping. The blade on this example is extremely good, it has never been re-profiled or sharpened, there are minor rust spots, the cording to the hilt is complete with its original cord wrist strap. The very complicated canvas wrap over the leather scabbard is all complete and in good form and firm condition, the exception being the belt loop, these are always constructed in the classic 1914 grained leather, in this example it has rotted. All of the webbing covering to the leather is intact and firm. A very fine example of this rare and desirable knife, good examples are shown on pages 17 and 18 of the excellent work by Ron Flook’s British and Commonwealth Military Knives, also an in depth description of usage and heritage on the web site of the Royal Armouries, good condition, scarce £3,600-£4,400

This is an age restricted lot: the successful buyer will be required to either collect in person, or arrange specialist shipping; the lot can be hand delivered within mainland Britain by prior arrangement with Christopher Mellor-Hill.