Whistlinbill's Collection #6: Khukuri

sirupate · 6th February 2012, 01:35 PM

kukri number 13, probably Nepalese Circa WW2
kukri number 14, Indian, Circa WW2
kukri number 15, as per no.13
kukri number 16, Indian, possibly military post WW2

Atlantia · 7th February 2012, 10:09 AM

Hi Bill,

#14 and #16 are also Indian made, #14 from around WW2 #16 possibly a little after. #16 seems to have something stamped on the blade. It's too small to read in the picture, but I seem to remember seeing similar types stamped 'Tempered Steel, Made in India' I'll see if I can find it.
From the similarities, it seems that these Indian firms were making various sizes and style variations of their main type.
Your #14 small Kuk has similarities with and is of the size of those often associated with private purchase by allied air crews in WW2 for use as survival knives etc.

There's a good thread over at www.IKRHS.com about the little Kukri sometimes carried by Air crew:
Private purchase Air crew Kukri

Atlantia · 7th February 2012, 10:16 AM

Getting back to #16, here is a small one with a 'similar' stamp, which reads: "Tempered Steel Made In India"

Atlantia · 7th February 2012, 10:24 AM

As a further note on #14, here is my example which although of the same date and origin, has a slightly more 'non traditional' design. I'll include some stats for you to compare with yours, it has no makers markings:

Size: small 27cm overall length.
Integral bolsters.
No Kaudi/Cho
deliberately off-set asmetric hilt to fit perfectly and comfortably a right handed user.
Slight concave grinding of blade with flat ground edge.
Razor sharp.
Black buffalo horn hilt. Note notch in bolster to stop hilt turning.
Brass buttcap.
Weight 211.7g
Military style scabbard with frog. Non Karda/chakmak type.

Atlantia · 7th February 2012, 10:40 AM

As you'll have noticed, your Kukri #16 shares similarites with the two small Kukri that I have shown. Whereas your Kukri #14 seems more akin to you Kukri #1 & #2.

The full width flat tangs are usually distinctive features of some military types and these Indian Kukri.
I also have one of the #1/#2 types but you'll notice that it's the 'other way round' with buffalo horn hilt slabs and ivory rivet covers. The amount of variations produced is dizzying frankly. You can see several in the period picture I posted at the beginning of this thread and there are many shown in the thread I indicated over at IKRHS.

sirupate · 7th February 2012, 01:49 PM

Hello Atlantia,

Quote:

The full width flat tangs are usually distinctive features of some military types

Indeed so, the Mk2, Mk3 and the post war Wilkinson Sword variation of the Mk3, which according to Robert Wilkinson-Latham is a Mk4.

Be interesting to see what other kukri Bill has lined up for us, by the way we should get together some time, as we in the same part of the World!

Cheers Simon

Atlantia · 9th February 2012, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirupate

we should get together some time, as we in the same part of the World!

Hi Simon,

I can't remember us really talking until our recent 'exchange of views' and to be completely frank, that didn't exactly leave me thinking we should go on a 'date'

Now I'm not saying never, but you're going to have to do a lot more 'flirting' first

Regards
Gene

7th February 2012, 10:16 AM	#3
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Getting back to #16, here is a small one with a 'similar' stamp, which reads: "Tempered Steel Made In India" Attached Images

7th February 2012, 10:24 AM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	As a further note on #14, here is my example which although of the same date and origin, has a slightly more 'non traditional' design. I'll include some stats for you to compare with yours, it has no makers markings: Size: small 27cm overall length. Integral bolsters. No Kaudi/Cho deliberately off-set asmetric hilt to fit perfectly and comfortably a right handed user. Slight concave grinding of blade with flat ground edge. Razor sharp. Black buffalo horn hilt. Note notch in bolster to stop hilt turning. Brass buttcap. Weight 211.7g Military style scabbard with frog. Non Karda/chakmak type. Attached Images

7th February 2012, 10:40 AM	#5
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	As you'll have noticed, your Kukri #16 shares similarites with the two small Kukri that I have shown. Whereas your Kukri #14 seems more akin to you Kukri #1 & #2. The full width flat tangs are usually distinctive features of some military types and these Indian Kukri. I also have one of the #1/#2 types but you'll notice that it's the 'other way round' with buffalo horn hilt slabs and ivory rivet covers. The amount of variations produced is dizzying frankly. You can see several in the period picture I posted at the beginning of this thread and there are many shown in the thread I indicated over at IKRHS. Attached Images Last edited by Atlantia; 7th February 2012 at 10:52 AM.

6th February 2012, 01:35 PM	#1
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	kukri number 13, probably Nepalese Circa WW2 kukri number 14, Indian, Circa WW2 kukri number 15, as per no.13 kukri number 16, Indian, possibly military post WW2

7th February 2012, 10:09 AM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Bill, #14 and #16 are also Indian made, #14 from around WW2 #16 possibly a little after. #16 seems to have something stamped on the blade. It's too small to read in the picture, but I seem to remember seeing similar types stamped 'Tempered Steel, Made in India' I'll see if I can find it. From the similarities, it seems that these Indian firms were making various sizes and style variations of their main type. Your #14 small Kuk has similarities with and is of the size of those often associated with private purchase by allied air crews in WW2 for use as survival knives etc. There's a good thread over at www.IKRHS.com about the little Kukri sometimes carried by Air crew: Private purchase Air crew Kukri Attached Images Last edited by Atlantia; 7th February 2012 at 10:43 AM.