Tourist Kukri?

[mrcjgscott]

Originally Posted by rickystl

Question: I'm sure this has been answered before on the Forum, but what decade do you think the Kukri originated ? 18___?

Thanks, Rick.

Hi Rick,

A good and much discussed question! I believe at present, the earliest attributed kukris are those residing in the National Museum of Nepal. The ticket says they were the weapons of Drabya Shah, who ruled from 1559-1570 AD.

That of course, doesn't mean that is the earliest kukri, just the earliest "attributed" kukri.

As previously mentioned, plenty show up in the UK, provenanced as dating from the Anglo-Nepali war (1814-16).

We may never know the true origin, the Greek Kopis Hypothesis is as good as any!

Kind regards,

Chris

[rickystl]

Originally Posted by mrcjgscott

Hi Rick,

A good and much discussed question! I believe at present, the earliest attributed kukris are those residing in the National Museum of Nepal. The ticket says they were the weapons of Drabya Shah, who ruled from 1559-1570 AD.

That of course, doesn't mean that is the earliest kukri, just the earliest "attributed" kukri.

As previously mentioned, plenty show up in the UK, provenanced as dating from the Anglo-Nepali war (1814-16).

We may never know the true origin, the Greek Kopis Hypothesis is as good as any!

Kind regards,

Chris

Thanks for your reply Chris. Well, one thing I just learned: The Kukri pattern seems to be older than I thought. I was thinking it's origin was around the turn of the 19th Century. Obviously, it is older. It certainly has a colorful history. Finding it so useful as a field tool in modern times, I can appreciate it being indespensible back in the period. The fact they continued to be in use during WWII and beyond seems to validate this.
Rick

[sirupate]

Yep that is an Indian made kukri, Atlanta Cutlery, they call it an 'Officers Kukri'
Atlanta Cutlery Officers kukri

There isn't a Mk5 btw, the last 'Official' Mark Kukri was the disastrous Wilkinson Sword Mk4

The link to the correspondence with the 2nd GR Historian should prove useful putting to bed some myths and inaccuracies in other articles

Correspondence with 2nd GR Historian

There is also a lot of further and accurate info here;
Historical Info

The very best Simon

[RobertGuy]

Originally Posted by sirupate

There isn't a Mk5 btw, the last 'Official' Mark Kukri was the disastrous Wilkinson Sword Mk4

Sirupate
How is today's issue Kukr classified? Does it have a NATO number?

Question for Spaffo:
Does your Kukri have a wooden or horn handle? I presumed wood from the first picture but with Sirupate mentioning the Atlanta Cutlery ones which have horn handles I'm, not so sure now.

[sirupate]

Hi Robert Guy, they are classified as Service no.1 or Service no.2, there is no NATO number as the RGR deal with the orders themselves, as opposed to the MOD. Also if you're on FB join my FB page for loads of info (PDF).
Pics from the Gurkha Museum in Pokhara (Nepal)