Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Afghan kukri with Armory marks? With pix.

spiral · 15th June 2006, 11:36 PM

Tim, traditional Nepali & Indian bolsters are made from folded thin sheet, bent round the rebate in the handle & brazed.Not cast. appearances can be decieving! some later issue Indian made military ones are blocks of steel welded on then ground.

Rick to naked eye I cant see signs of pattern welding & dont think I will etch this one to truly find out yet. Have any other swords from this armoury shown pattern welding?

lots of issue kukri didnt have the broad arrow mark, but I think this kukri if for British army Gurkhas would be for officers only, {as you say private purchase.} as it is pure weapon not a tool. Inlisted mens were both utility & weapons capable.

{officers didnt cut firewood etc.}

My knowledge of Afghaistan at this point is weak but I think the British had left by then? & Abdur Rahman was ruling? {obviosly we were still playing on Indian N.W.F.} but I may be mistaken.

I am wondering if he imployed any Gurkha mercenaries or bodygaurds perhaps ? or were allocated Any by the Brits.?

As it appers these kukri carry the same arsenal marks as offcial Afghan goverment swords? presuably this was an official goverment arsenal?

Also 2 of the 4 examples are known to have been picked up in Afghanistan, which seems a high percentage? {to date anyway!}

I would be interested in yours veiws & any info or points anyone might have.

Spiral

Ps. I just have to find a sword or two with those marks now!

15th June 2006, 11:36 PM	#18
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Tim, traditional Nepali & Indian bolsters are made from folded thin sheet, bent round the rebate in the handle & brazed.Not cast. appearances can be decieving! some later issue Indian made military ones are blocks of steel welded on then ground. Rick to naked eye I cant see signs of pattern welding & dont think I will etch this one to truly find out yet. Have any other swords from this armoury shown pattern welding? lots of issue kukri didnt have the broad arrow mark, but I think this kukri if for British army Gurkhas would be for officers only, {as you say private purchase.} as it is pure weapon not a tool. Inlisted mens were both utility & weapons capable. {officers didnt cut firewood etc.} My knowledge of Afghaistan at this point is weak but I think the British had left by then? & Abdur Rahman was ruling? {obviosly we were still playing on Indian N.W.F.} but I may be mistaken. I am wondering if he imployed any Gurkha mercenaries or bodygaurds perhaps ? or were allocated Any by the Brits.? As it appers these kukri carry the same arsenal marks as offcial Afghan goverment swords? presuably this was an official goverment arsenal? Also 2 of the 4 examples are known to have been picked up in Afghanistan, which seems a high percentage? {to date anyway!} I would be interested in yours veiws & any info or points anyone might have. Spiral Ps. I just have to find a sword or two with those marks now! Last edited by spiral; 16th June 2006 at 12:22 AM.