Gurkha knife

[ritchie4]

Hello,

Was wondering if there was any one out there who could help me ID this Gurkha knife ie what period it is from. It is believed to be a WW2 Period knife, but there are no marks and I am having trouble finding info. Thank you in advance and merry x-mas.
Here are some pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritchie...7603539238481/

Ritchie.

[Allan H.]

That is one gorgeous Kukri! The White bone handle makes it more likely that the weapon was made for ornamentation rather than as a day to day tool and weapon.
I am comfortable with it being WWII vintage. It could have been sold in one of the bazaars to either and American or a Briton, but it looks to be a better piece than the normal souvenir quality knives that you see on the market.
Allan

[Adam H]

I agree with Allan. It appears to be a ceremonial/ornamental type rather than a military issue Khukri. Not really sure how to date it but I would say certainly not recent construction. A nice looking blade.

I have some official issue types that I could photgraph...albeit not WWII vintage, but they are similar. Wartime and older issues are sometimes found with "broad arrow" markings and other stampings.

Cheers,

Adam

[peter monahan]

This is a lovely kukri but definitely not WWI or WWII issue. Every issue weapon - Indian Army - that I have seen (perhaps 2 dozen in total ) had a black buffalo leather scabbard, not brown, and most WWII vintage had a broad arrow mark, though rarely any other stamps - often on the scabbard as well as the tang of the blade.

Remember that, as well as being the 'work knife' of Nepal - hatchet, brush hook and weapon - the kukri was part of formal dress, at least for some, in the same way as the Scottish 'skean dhu'. In the category of 'useful men's jewelllery', so fancy ones are quite common, both for personal wear and as presentation pieces. This one is miles above the tourist drek in quaklity and may well have been made for a well off Gurkha officer or NCo or for a Nepalese gent of means. Hang on to it!

My tuppence worth
Peter