I will deal with the photographs first, as they are the easiest to dismiss, being “visual” evidence.
This is the first photograph from the “for” case. A photograph entitled
“Gurkhas of 4th Indian Division keep watch on enemy positions in Alpi di Catenaia from high ground on Monte Castiglione, 29 July 1944.” This rather distorted image does seem to show a kukri with rings on the grip being carried in a theatre of war.
However, the undistorted image (which can be found and viewed here:
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205204677) at the Imperial War Museum, tells a rather different story.
So that is pretty clear cut. No rings, just a standard regimental or battalion purchase kukri of the type commonly associated with the period.
We won’t enter into whether the image was deliberately distorted or not, although I will say that I have only ever seen the distorted image being pedalled by the author of the theory “for” these kukri having been issued.