Old Kukri For Comment

Gavin Nugent · 5th September 2010, 10:13 AM

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

Lew · 5th September 2010, 01:37 PM

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.

Berkley · 5th September 2010, 05:38 PM

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.

Ferguson · 5th September 2010, 08:05 PM

A lovely piece!
Steve

spiral · 5th September 2010, 09:02 PM

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

sta94 · 6th September 2010, 01:05 PM

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!

5th September 2010, 10:13 AM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	No expert but 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

5th September 2010, 01:37 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	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. Attached Images Last edited by Lew; 5th September 2010 at 02:19 PM.

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5th September 2010, 05:38 PM	#3
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	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.

5th September 2010, 08:05 PM	#4
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	A lovely piece! Steve

5th September 2010, 09:02 PM	#5
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	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

6th September 2010, 01:05 PM	#6
sta94 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 16	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!