Thank you very much for caring, Jonathan.
I wasn't expecting that, new pictures, all of a sudden would make this kukri become a fine luxury piece. However a touch here and there could eventualy unblacken some of its previous evaluation ... like the cover being leather and its stitching being gut, which made my day.
The bright side is that it sure isn't a light weight series production replica for decoration purposes, like the two examples i had before and disposed of.
As per attached pictures, the kukri fits well into the wooden sheath ... only the thin leather cover has certainly shrunk, causing the wood lining to pop out a bit; rather than the cover being missing some mouth part, i would say.
It's a pitty that this specimen is not so old as i expected and have been told, although there is a significant date span between your best prognosis, pre-1920 and the worst 1950 of Inveterate, in terms relative to end 19th century and nowadays.
I was most infuenced by the fact that, to my eyes, the handle shows some age patination and the scabbard shows significant wearing, whereas the items i frequently see, which are intentionally made to sell directly to tourists (or soldiers), will be kept resting inside drawers or hanging on walls, keeping an intact aspect.
I know the butt cap as a lousy look, i purposely sowed it off in picture; however so lousy that i admited it could have been a replacement.
The bone handle being weak and the kaudi being off alignment weren't enough signs of an ungenuine piece, for me. I thaught that, like in several other cases, poor people have poor weapons (as other stuff ), and whealthy people have finer weapons ... one not taking the veracity of the other.
Handles can be replaced or repaired, kaudis are just symbolic ... no need to be accurate.
I wasn't aware that kukri makers maintain the same demand for fineness of utensiles materials and finishing, independently of their social extract.
I am glad that this isn't anyway an artificial specimen, as i am not worried if it is a less solid or "unmilitary" example. But the uncertainty or, should i say, certainty about its modernity, will comdemn it to be a disposeable piece to my eyes, which will some day be an item to swap or sell off.
I must say i wasn't intentioning to be a kukry collector. It was just because this one was on my way, and i like variety in collecting, instead of favouring thematics. Maybe the next example that crosses my way is a fine piece ... and i have the cash to buy it.
Jonathan, in a previous posting you have said this kukri was made in India, based on my suspicion that the cover material was artificial. Do you still say this is an Indian kukri ? Sorry to insist, but i would like to know its correct provenance .
I am so much obliged for your tolerant feeding my need for knowledge in this field of kukris.
Kind regards.
fernando
|