Info on Old Military kukri

spiral · 14th December 2005, 05:30 PM

HI Andy,

The scabbard is fairly rare & probably early ww1 & may be marked & dated at the top of the pouch under the flap.

It was made for thr mk.1 issue kukri.

It is official British Gurkha issue.{& Garhwallis, Kuamon, Assam, & Burma units etc. of course.}

The kukri is not any regular military pattern. So it wont truly be identifiable.

Steel bolsters are still made & have been throughout the 20th century.

Brass bolsters are probably post 1910.

But steel is still currant, & a sign that more time was taken making the kukri than brass ones.

That particular shape doesnt date the kukri. But as a pure speculation it could be ww1 or 1920s era.

It may have been taken into ww1 but it was not an issued pattern kukri.

If you ever want to sell the scabbard or trade it, give me a shout.

Spiral

P.S.
I can normaly be found at IKRHS Forum or on Tora Forum.

Tim Simmons · 14th December 2005, 07:02 PM

Hello Spiral,

I am a little confused about brass or steel bolsters. Are you saying that brass bolsters are post 1910 on military issue kukri only, which might well be true, surely you are not making this statement about the kukri in general. Where do you get such definite knowledege. Tim

spiral · 14th December 2005, 07:33 PM

Hello Tim,

Years of reserch & study. Its my hobby!

The earliest brass bolster the Gurkha museam has ever come across was picked up in 1915 & obviously hadnt been around that long at that date.

There are also non earlier than that in the Kathamando national museam.

Non of the worlds leading collectors have come across a provenaced one pre.1910

Occasionaly dealers & collectors wish to belive ther kukri are all rather older than seems likely.

But most of us who have truly studied them have separetly come to the same conclusian.

I also have yet to see any unprovenced brass kukri that appears likely to me to pre.date 1910. Based on its design features. {I have bought just on 400 over the years, & handled thousands in both in England & Nepal.}

So thats why I state,"Brass bolsters are probably post 1910."

Why are you surprised or confused about this statement? Do you know of an older one? If so would love to hear of it.

I stated probably because one day one may turn up.

But thats the extent of factual knowledge within the kukri collecting community to date.

If one does turn up it will be an exception to the rule.

The main Military issue pattern kukris didnt have brass bolsters till after ww2. {Although occasionaly some private purchase kukri carried by officers & other ranks did.}

Hope that clarifys the "brass bolster" issue for you.

Spiral

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14th December 2005, 05:30 PM	#1
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	HI Andy, The scabbard is fairly rare & probably early ww1 & may be marked & dated at the top of the pouch under the flap. It was made for thr mk.1 issue kukri. It is official British Gurkha issue.{& Garhwallis, Kuamon, Assam, & Burma units etc. of course.} The kukri is not any regular military pattern. So it wont truly be identifiable. Steel bolsters are still made & have been throughout the 20th century. Brass bolsters are probably post 1910. But steel is still currant, & a sign that more time was taken making the kukri than brass ones. That particular shape doesnt date the kukri. But as a pure speculation it could be ww1 or 1920s era. It may have been taken into ww1 but it was not an issued pattern kukri. If you ever want to sell the scabbard or trade it, give me a shout. Spiral P.S. I can normaly be found at IKRHS Forum or on Tora Forum.

14th December 2005, 07:02 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Hello Spiral, I am a little confused about brass or steel bolsters. Are you saying that brass bolsters are post 1910 on military issue kukri only, which might well be true, surely you are not making this statement about the kukri in general. Where do you get such definite knowledege. Tim

14th December 2005, 07:33 PM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Hello Tim, Years of reserch & study. Its my hobby! The earliest brass bolster the Gurkha museam has ever come across was picked up in 1915 & obviously hadnt been around that long at that date. There are also non earlier than that in the Kathamando national museam. Non of the worlds leading collectors have come across a provenaced one pre.1910 Occasionaly dealers & collectors wish to belive ther kukri are all rather older than seems likely. But most of us who have truly studied them have separetly come to the same conclusian. I also have yet to see any unprovenced brass kukri that appears likely to me to pre.date 1910. Based on its design features. {I have bought just on 400 over the years, & handled thousands in both in England & Nepal.} So thats why I state,"Brass bolsters are probably post 1910." Why are you surprised or confused about this statement? Do you know of an older one? If so would love to hear of it. I stated probably because one day one may turn up. But thats the extent of factual knowledge within the kukri collecting community to date. If one does turn up it will be an exception to the rule. The main Military issue pattern kukris didnt have brass bolsters till after ww2. {Although occasionaly some private purchase kukri carried by officers & other ranks did.} Hope that clarifys the "brass bolster" issue for you. Spiral