WW2 Burmese Dha identification?

rickdeckard · 10th October 2025, 04:18 AM

Hello,
I’m looking to verify if the dha I picked up many years ago at an antique store is of the type used by the British Indian Army in WW2. Or whether it’s simply a roughly made souvenir with an old genuine scabbard.

I picked it up because my grandfather spent time in Burma with the Indian 19th division during the war and my Dad said this dha “looked” like the tools his Dad had described to him.

Those I have seen listed as British army issue WW2 Dias have obvious markings (e.g. broad arrow) and dates of manufacture. They have different “slab” and rivet handles. I have seen these referred to as Mk II or III and usually dated 1944 or 45.

As seen in the photos mine is quite crudely made and has:

Barely legible markings on the scabbard: “MP” ?, “8”? , “78”?.
And on the spine of the blade: “1466” ?

There are no obvious dates or broad arrow marks on the blade.

Dad said the blades were often made of spring steel and mine looks pretty crude and agricultural.

The closure on the scabbard has been repaired recently - but the style looks similar to later war British issue.

Asking any members with knowledge of the subject whether the dha in the photos is simply a rough agricultural tool or whether it resembles anything that would have been used by British Indian forces in the Second World War.

Thanks in advance.

Ian · 10th October 2025, 05:07 AM

Hello rickdeckard,

Welcome to the Ethnographic Forum. You are on the right track regarding your machete. This form, and a number of similar examples, have been referred to as Chindit machetes. The Chindit were a significant special forces group under M-General Orde Wingate who conducted operations in Burma during WWII. They were based out of India and many of these machetes were made in India.

You can read more about them and find further pictures in Ron Flook's book "British and Commonwealth Military Knives," (1999).

You can find more information here if you do a search for "Chindit."

I hope you enjoy your time browsing the Archives here and that you will post more items for discussion.

Regards, Ian

PS Here is one thread from the past that might be helpful. Also. the pictures from the Flook reference.

.

rickdeckard · 11th October 2025, 08:52 AM

Thanks Ian - the handle definitely looks like the middle one in Plate 480! The Flook book looks like it’s available at my library, I’ll go check it out.

10th October 2025, 04:18 AM	#1
rickdeckard Member Join Date: Oct 2025 Location: South Posts: 5	WW2 Burmese Dha identification? Hello, I’m looking to verify if the dha I picked up many years ago at an antique store is of the type used by the British Indian Army in WW2. Or whether it’s simply a roughly made souvenir with an old genuine scabbard. I picked it up because my grandfather spent time in Burma with the Indian 19th division during the war and my Dad said this dha “looked” like the tools his Dad had described to him. Those I have seen listed as British army issue WW2 Dias have obvious markings (e.g. broad arrow) and dates of manufacture. They have different “slab” and rivet handles. I have seen these referred to as Mk II or III and usually dated 1944 or 45. As seen in the photos mine is quite crudely made and has: Barely legible markings on the scabbard: “MP” ?, “8”? , “78”?. And on the spine of the blade: “1466” ? There are no obvious dates or broad arrow marks on the blade. Dad said the blades were often made of spring steel and mine looks pretty crude and agricultural. The closure on the scabbard has been repaired recently - but the style looks similar to later war British issue. Asking any members with knowledge of the subject whether the dha in the photos is simply a rough agricultural tool or whether it resembles anything that would have been used by British Indian forces in the Second World War. Thanks in advance. Attached Images

10th October 2025, 05:07 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,501	Hello rickdeckard, Welcome to the Ethnographic Forum. You are on the right track regarding your machete. This form, and a number of similar examples, have been referred to as Chindit machetes. The Chindit were a significant special forces group under M-General Orde Wingate who conducted operations in Burma during WWII. They were based out of India and many of these machetes were made in India. You can read more about them and find further pictures in Ron Flook's book "British and Commonwealth Military Knives," (1999). You can find more information here if you do a search for "Chindit." I hope you enjoy your time browsing the Archives here and that you will post more items for discussion. Regards, Ian PS Here is one thread from the past that might be helpful. Also. the pictures from the Flook reference. . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 10th October 2025 at 09:35 AM. Reason: Added link and picture

11th October 2025, 08:52 AM	#3
rickdeckard Member Join Date: Oct 2025 Location: South Posts: 5	Thanks Ian - the handle definitely looks like the middle one in Plate 480! The Flook book looks like it’s available at my library, I’ll go check it out.