Use
git clone --depth=1 --branch=master git://someserver/somerepo dirformynewrepo
rm -rf ./dirformynewrepo/.git
- The depth option will make sure to copy the least bit of history possible to get that repo.
- The branch option is optional and if not specified would get master.
- The second line will make your directory
dirformynewrepo
not a Git repository any more.
- If you're doing recursive submodule clone, the depth and branch parameter don't apply to the submodules.