I recently picked-up this knife (Southern & Richardson) and although there are a few available on-line for sale, I really can’t find out much about them.  It was reported to be a WWII era knife, but I don’t know that for sure.  Does anyone have any history on these knives?

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a bit about the company, for some background. Southern & Richardson was a Sheffield, England based cutlery producer. Established in 1847 and in 1851 they moved to the “Weldon Works, Bird’s Nest” and remained there until the 1920’s, when they were absorbed by the firm of Needham, Veall & Tyzack, another Sheffield based cutler. NV&T continued to produce blades under both the Southern & Richardson brand and their own Eye Witness brand until they went out of business in 1975.

 

As far as I've found, this style knife that you have was not an issue knife, but is a "Theatre Knife", as a great many were purchased by British and US troops before the Normandy invasion. Also, a quick look online shows many listed as WWII Theatre knives. It is a really cool one! I wonder if you could find ads showing this style knife that would date it? Really cool knife, whatever it turns out to be! How is it in size, compared to a KABAR or a standard US knife?

On 4/8/2022 at 4:39 PM, stratasfan said:

 

 

As far as I've found, this style knife that you have was not an issue knife, but is a "Theatre Knife", as a great many were purchased by British and US troops before the Normandy invasion. Also, a quick look online shows many listed as WWII Theatre knives. It is a really cool one! I wonder if you could find ads showing this style knife that would date it? Really cool knife, whatever it turns out to be! How is it in size, compared to a KABAR or a standard US knife?

 

I had always understood "Theater Knife" referred to a knife that was made or produced in theater.

These are usually one offs made by artisans of varying degrees of talent, using available or found materials in ship metal shop, mechanical bays, etc.,

 

The OP's Southern and Richardson would be something I'd describe as a "Private Purchase" knife, meaning it may have been bought at the Naafi or PX stores, traded, or bought someplace else, but it was a factory produced in large numbers.