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#1 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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I picked this up from Gav a couple of weeks ago. Looks to be a WW1 era piece. The hilt is either bone or maybe polished antler with a steel plate on the butt. The blade is well forged with a triple fuller. Let me know what you think.
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,592
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Hi Lew,
This is obviously Spirals domain but in my limited experience a good pointer to overall quality is how well the chakma and karda are executed. In this case they look very well made and nicely finished. I know the steel bolster is sometimes a pointer to an earlier piece and I would think you're not far wrong in your assessment of age. A good looking Kukri. My Regards, Norman. |
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#3 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,200
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Well not much to add except that so far the hilts do look like polished horn.
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 608
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Nice set. The karda almost looks more like a patch knife. What is the size of the kukri?
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#5 | |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,167
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for info, the small 'fullers' are called 'aunlo bal'.
Quote:
sirupate with no chirras, but an engraved and inlaid aunlo bal/sword of shiva more noticable are the chirras, ang khola (one chirra near the spine) ![]() dui chirra (two very distinct fullers across the blade width) ![]() and tin chirra (three of 'em) ![]() ref: Himalayan Imports kukri construction and terminology the posted khukuri seems to have a linear feature just under the aunlo bal, which appears to possibly be a lamination indicator. could this be of laminated construction (possibly pre-ww1 then)? any markings on the right side? nice khuk. Last edited by kronckew; 5th September 2010 at 10:11 AM. |
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
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G'day Lew,
Glad you liked it, I was quite taken by it too. I think you are correct in the antler attribution, it certainly has the colour more so than bone and there is a slight rough surface present in one spot too, this could well be where it was ground back but not too far to keep a proper shape. My money is on older than WWI, the item came from a collection with all older swords and Afghan knives that were circa 1790s-1850s. I do not know if this piece is as old as 1850 but it is as kronckew notes, the indicator of laminated steel is present and I know from giving this piece a little attention it is laminated and I think from memory with a etch, differential steels will show but with no clear pattern. It is a good and very sharp fighter with a good forward heavy weight and in great condition overall. One plus would have to be that it was once a tool kit example that are quite sought after and I think if you talk with Himalayan Imports, you might be able to source a full antler handled set of tools. Gav |
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#7 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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Gav
Prior to 1900 most battle kukris had the long leaf design blade to my knowlege this other style of kukri appeared after 1900. Here is a group of long leaves for comparison. I also included a pic of some long leaves that were in my collection some years back but since have foolishly sold them. ![]() Last edited by Lew; 5th September 2010 at 02:19 PM. |
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#8 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, Texas USA
Posts: 257
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A straight-on photo of the butt plate could show whether it is more likely an original feature or a later addition. That information might be helpful in dating this lovely old kukri. One rule of thumb holds that butt plates began to be used around 1900.
Then again, as Bernard Levine is fond of saying, rules of thumb may poke you in the eye. ![]() |
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#9 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
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A lovely piece!
Steve |
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#10 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,712
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Its a lovely piece Lew! Id say your probably right in your date estimate, But at the very least certanly from the c.1900 to .c1930 era to my understsanding.
I like the shape & style of it. The scabbard is also well made, so are {as Norman noted} the small knives. Id guess the handle is Sambar antler thats ground & polished, but could only be 100% certain in hand. Berk I agree to date that most buttplates seem to appear on Wood or horn handles around c.1900 I know of 2 earlier than that, one in a Nepali collection & one a very unusual Indiam made presentation piece sold in auction in England about a decade ago, But I think they are both exceptional forerunners or possibly in the case of the Nepalese example carrying a later repair or even some accidental confusion in its identified history. Yours looks a very dignified kukri. Spiral |
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#11 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 16
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Awesome kukri! I had been admiring it on freebooter's site debating whether to go for it or not, next thing I know it was sold!!!
Thanks for sharing with us! |
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