Hi Bill,
#18 is an interesting beastie!
Many of these were made in the early part of the last century for the British 'Raj' market as decorator pieces.
I'm sure there is a printed advertisment floating around somewhere from the first quarter 20thC, showing them with other 'familiar' 'indo-persian' weapons made for the same purpose which now are often optimistically described as 'ceremonial' or 'parade'.
The mix of styles is fantastic, the exaggerated Kukri blade decorated in chiseled 'indo persian' style, the rather nice Tulwar hilt. What a great thing!
I've often wondered if some of these were married up with older hilts. Even the one on yours is every bit as good (better in fact) that a hilt on a fine persian wootz Shamshir bladed Tulwar that I own.
#21 is shown with the same combination frog and karda/chakmak pouches that are usually seen with the Indian ww2 era private purchase Kukri like #1 & #2.
Best
Gene
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