Old(?) Kukri

shayde78 · 20th February 2021, 12:52 AM

I am very wary of purchasing kukri from online auctions because I find it hard to determine the older ones from more modern versions (or outright fakes). However, I took a chance on this one because it seemed to have genuine age.

What do you all think?
Someone polished all the patina (if there was any) off of the blade. I appreciate that they didn't polish it down smooth, as it has a texture I quite like.
The grip is of some kind of horn/antler. Can someone help identify? That too seems to have some legitimate age.

Here are some specs:
Overall length - approx 18"
Blade length - approx. 13"
Blade thickness - 6mm across the spine at the hilt
Weight - 1lb 2.375oz.

As always, apologies for the quality of the photos.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and impressions.

Rick · 20th February 2021, 01:08 AM

How old do you think it is?
It's very hard to guess due to the condition issues, but I'd guess very early 20th century.

shayde78 · 20th February 2021, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

How old do you think it is?
It's very hard to guess due to the condition issues, but I'd guess very early 20th century.

That is a excellent question! My gut tells me it is pre-WWI. I want to say it is from the second half of the 19th century, but that is merely from the age that I believe the hilt shows. I have never seen horn delaminate like this (if indeed this is horn). Because of the otherwise solid and good condition of the metal components, I don't believe the hilt had suffered ill effects of being kept in poor conditions, but rather the mere effects of the passage of (substantial) time.

Rick · 20th February 2021, 03:38 AM

Here is a kukri that is probably first quarter of the 20thC; it was bought at a barn sale in New England some years ago.
I believe your kukri has been badly neglected I'm sorry to say, and that doesn't help things as far as judging age goes.

David R · 20th February 2021, 10:35 AM

Acid dipped.

kai · 20th February 2021, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Acid dipped.

I don't think so, David. Note that the peened tang displays similar corrosion.

As Rick, I'd also guess this piece got badly neglected.

Considering that the damage to the horn is pretty much unilateral, I wonder if this kukhri got exposed to exessive heat from fire/etc. and then left in some basement rotting away...

Regards,
Kai

RAMBA · 21st February 2021, 12:59 AM

Earliest would be ww2 period and likely something that came out of an Indian bazaar (market) originally. Brass bolster, poor fuller work and horn hilt etc. In relic condition because it has been neglected badly and I hope you did not pay much for it.

Kubur · 21st February 2021, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAMBA

Earliest would be ww2 period and likely something that came out of an Indian bazaar (market) originally. Brass bolster, poor fuller work and horn hilt etc. In relic condition because it has been neglected badly and I hope you did not pay much for it.

It's exactly what I think, probably stored in an attic, or an English basement with a lot of humidity...

As Jim mentionned many times, the problem with ethno weapons is: it's not because they look old that they are old...

African and Arab weapons look old because they were worn with a poor maintenance.

For your Indian kukri it's just a problem of conservation.

David R · 21st February 2021, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David R

Acid dipped.

Perhaps I should have written "acid bathed", as in the whole piece dropped into acid.including the hilt.

kai · 21st February 2021, 01:39 PM

Then I'd expect more surface corrosion at the brass bolster, David.

Humidty and neglect can be hard enough on carbon steel.

Regards,
Kai

Pukka Bundook · 26th February 2021, 02:45 PM

The kukri has a nice overall shape.

Gents,
Do you think there is any chance it was in a fire? The hilt looks rather charred to me......

20th February 2021, 12:52 AM	#1
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	Old(?) Kukri I am very wary of purchasing kukri from online auctions because I find it hard to determine the older ones from more modern versions (or outright fakes). However, I took a chance on this one because it seemed to have genuine age. What do you all think? Someone polished all the patina (if there was any) off of the blade. I appreciate that they didn't polish it down smooth, as it has a texture I quite like. The grip is of some kind of horn/antler. Can someone help identify? That too seems to have some legitimate age. Here are some specs: Overall length - approx 18" Blade length - approx. 13" Blade thickness - 6mm across the spine at the hilt Weight - 1lb 2.375oz. As always, apologies for the quality of the photos. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and impressions. Attached Images

20th February 2021, 03:38 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,292	Here is a kukri that is probably first quarter of the 20thC; it was bought at a barn sale in New England some years ago. I believe your kukri has been badly neglected I'm sorry to say, and that doesn't help things as far as judging age goes. Attached Images

20th February 2021, 01:08 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,292	How old do you think it is? It's very hard to guess due to the condition issues, but I'd guess very early 20th century.

20th February 2021, 10:35 AM	#5
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	Acid dipped.

21st February 2021, 12:59 AM	#7
RAMBA Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 98	Earliest would be ww2 period and likely something that came out of an Indian bazaar (market) originally. Brass bolster, poor fuller work and horn hilt etc. In relic condition because it has been neglected badly and I hope you did not pay much for it.

21st February 2021, 01:39 PM	#10
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Then I'd expect more surface corrosion at the brass bolster, David. Humidty and neglect can be hard enough on carbon steel. Regards, Kai

26th February 2021, 02:45 PM	#11
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	The kukri has a nice overall shape. Gents, Do you think there is any chance it was in a fire? The hilt looks rather charred to me......