Old Kukri For Comment

[Lew]

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.

[Norman McCormick]

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.

[Battara]

Well not much to add except that so far the hilts do look like polished horn.

[laEspadaAncha]

Nice set. The karda almost looks more like a patch knife. What is the size of the kukri?

[kronckew]

for info, the small 'fullers' are called 'aunlo bal'.

Originally Posted by himalayan imports

Chirra - a fuller in the main body of the blade. fullers are used in blades in order to decrease the weight without decreasing the strength of blade (the same concept as that of 'I-beams' used in building-construction). some khukuris have no chirras, some may have multiple chirras

Aunlo Bal - the small fuller or groove often found along part of the upper spine. sometimes also known as a 'blood-groove' or 'the Sword of Shiva' (origin uncertain).
Other terms used include: "pwankh (the 'feather'), rato karang ('red rib'...from when they used lac to highlight a design rather than using a real fuller), aunlo bal ('finger of strength/force/energy') and others I couldn't even get them to translate". -John Powell
"If the scrollwork and inlay in the Sword of Shiva had any meaning it has been lost in time. The scrollwork and inlay are the "khukuri system" which has been around forever". -Kami Sherpa
"Years ago the scrollwork was etched in by the kamis before the blade was hardened. Later some smart kami made a die so he could punch in the scrollwork and that's how it is done today. It is usually done after the blade is hardened. The brass inlay would not hold up to the heat". -Bill Martino

as noted, nowadays mostly a decorative feature engraved or inlaid in brass or both. the blades are often forged with a noticeable dishing between the edge area and the spine which functions as a proper fullering'.

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.

[Gavin Nugent]

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]

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]

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]

A lovely piece!
Steve

[spiral]

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]

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!