Whistlinbill's Collection #6: Khukuri

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

I DON'T COLLECT OR HAVE MUCH KNOWLEGE OF THESE MOSTLY JUST TALES OF THE GURKA'S FIGHTING ABLILTYS VERY GOOD FOLKS TO HAVE WATCHING OUT FOR YOU.
#4 IS A BEAUTY AND MY FAVORITE. I AM SURE THOSE MEMBERS WHO COLLECT IN THIS FIELD WOULD LOVE TO ADD SOME OF THESE TO THEIR COLLECTIONS. NO DOUBT KEYBOARDS SOMEWHERE ARE BEING RUINED AS THEY DROOL ON THEM.
HOPEFULLY THESE MEMBERS WILL SEE THIS THREAD AND ENLIGHTEN US AS TO WHAT WE ARE SEEING.

I'll have a bash!

1 & 2 are both Indian made Kukris following the Mark 3 general form but with Ivory hilts, made for private purchase. They date to the war or just after and there are various slight varitions of the hilt slabs using Ivory and horn.
I attach a pic (borrowed from Berkley).

There's a whole thread showing a lot of variations over at www.ikrhs.com
If memory serves, I think Jonathan said these were made by a firm in Calcutta.

3 & 4 I'd date both to the early part of the last century. 1910-30. #3 looks like it might be a silver hilt, or silvered steel and the silvering is still in good condition. #4 seems to be a cut steel hilt, possibly once silvered.
Both very good pieces, possibly presentation pieces to officers.

#9 a good standard Nepali non military type, a 'villager'. I'm thinking that the scabbard with frog and the Karda and Chakmak have been married to it and are not original to it. (if anything, they look better quality).

#10/#11/#12 getting later touristy types. #10 follows the current military shape with non military decoration on the blade.

Have a look at Jonathans 'bible' thread for some clarification:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8490