Nice Kukri - Opinions?
 

Hi,
I bought it in nepal, the seller claimed it to be a Tibetan Kukri.
The handle is made of ivory (checked with hot needle and also the typical ivory pattern can be seen).
There is a nice silver ornament on the scabbard with coral and tourquise stones, and also a small ornament which consists of 9 gems which i dont recognize.
It also came with 6 extra tools other than the two classical knives.

1) Can you help me identify it? date it?
2) Can you help me identify the gems on it?
3) On the handle there are some markings which i am not sure whether they are cracks or a text in some language, what do you think?
4) Is there any meaning to the symbols on the blade?

Pictures attached.

Thank you,
Shai


Overall View:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...tid=6680&stc=1

The Gems:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...tid=6681&stc=1

The Tools:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...tid=6682&stc=1

The Blade:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...tid=6676&stc=1
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...tid=6677&stc=1

The Handle:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...tid=6678&stc=1
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...tid=6679&stc=1

It look like a very nice kukri, but my knowledge about these weapons is more than limited. The decoration does however seem Tibetan to me.
Let's hope John Powell will see this and comment on it, as he is the expert on these weapons.

You may also want to post on the Kukri list at Swordforum.

Here is another place to post. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/fo...s=&forumid=739

Shai,

You should contact Simon on http://www.toratoratora.co.uk/martia...imonhengle.asp

This man is an expert on kukhri and will certainly give you information on yours.

Looks to me a very nice find. Might have been belonged to a dentist :D

I would not think a kukri to gain my interest but this is different. all I can say is you are right.. a really nice piece. Big real turquoises, existence of which strengtens my suggestion that those purple and pink ones on the scabbard must be also real hand worked semi precious gems ,which can be seen on some really valuable Ottoman arms too. I don't know their names in English. Plus a not bad silver work.

I would say that this piece is a little more modern based on the angle of the blade and the brass bolsters, say, at least turn of the 20c. What is nice is that it has nice silver work, red coral, turquoise, amethyst, and an elephant ivory hilt. Certainly more up scale. Nice puppy (woof! :D ).

A very attractive kukri with tools. You might look for John Powell (JP) at the International Kukri Research and Historical Society Forum, and check out some other posts on that forum for clues to some of the markings on your kukri. We are fortunate to have several good online resources on older collectible kukris.
Regards,
Berkley