Mid 20th century kukri

[rickdeckard]

Hello,

I believe this kukri is from Nepal, made some time before the late 1970s. I assume it’s a souvenir type that is typically seen? I’m not sure of its exact origin in Nepal, my uncle picked it up when he was there in the late 70s.

The blades is ~29.5 cm long. The blade spine is 1 cm thick. The handle is hard wood with rivets and what looks like brass pommel and ferrule. The two by knives are of similar construction. One is sharp, the other dull and squared off. Scabbard seems like hide or similar with very rudimentary carved pattern and a white metal chape. The wire loop is from its days hanging on my uncles lounge room wall!

Thanks again - all comments welcome.

[ausjulius]

Hi it's indian, not Nepali.
Made in Dehradun.. recently made. Last 20-40 years . They still make that "model" . There's another one the make with a horn handle and aluminium buttplate .. these have never a functional chakmak or karda.. as the Indians don't really know the little chakmaks use. (Sharpening and fire striking) So they are just rough objects. Even on old India copies, if they do include them they are just two little knife shaped things. Or sometimes two small identical knives . The chakmak/chakmaag (the Mongolian tinder box with a striking steel) was previously known in India but it was associated with military attire and just faded away with matches.. where as the Nepalis kept in in their kukri scabbards to the present day. Although you'll be hard pressed to see a Nepali who and strike a fire with it these days. Maybe some very old men..but they know what it is.

[rickdeckard]

Thanks for the reply. My uncle passed in 1983, so I guess this is closer to 45 years - a vintage Indian tourist replica! Yes, the two small knives are very crudely made.

[ausjulius]

Originally Posted by rickdeckard

Thanks for the reply. My uncle passed in 1983, so I guess this is closer to 45 years - a vintage Indian tourist replica! Yes, the two small knives are very crudely made.

yep you can still get the same model today,
they are thinner than the original kukris, being cut from steel plate. 5-6mm normally . in fact you can get the same models with the metal bands on the handle going back to ww2 made in india but the blade son the older knvies are much better...
yeah tis say 1980s or so , these days the sheath is more crudely made.