Whistlinbill's Collection #6: Khukuri

sirupate · 15th February 2012, 10:50 AM

Kukri no.17, most likey a WW2 IA issue kukri
No.18, tourist
No.19, most likely late 19th, or very early 20th century military issue kukri
No.20, most likely a civilian kukri WW2-1960's
No.21, civilian kukri circa WW2

Atlantia · 15th February 2012, 11:19 AM

Hi Bill,

#18 is an interesting beastie!
Many of these were made in the early part of the last century for the British 'Raj' market as decorator pieces.
I'm sure there is a printed advertisment floating around somewhere from the first quarter 20thC, showing them with other 'familiar' 'indo-persian' weapons made for the same purpose which now are often optimistically described as 'ceremonial' or 'parade'.
The mix of styles is fantastic, the exaggerated Kukri blade decorated in chiseled 'indo persian' style, the rather nice Tulwar hilt. What a great thing!

I've often wondered if some of these were married up with older hilts. Even the one on yours is every bit as good (better in fact) that a hilt on a fine persian wootz Shamshir bladed Tulwar that I own.

#21 is shown with the same combination frog and karda/chakmak pouches that are usually seen with the Indian ww2 era private purchase Kukri like #1 & #2.

Best
Gene

Berkley · 15th February 2012, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

#18 is an interesting beastie!
Many of these were made in the early part of the last century for the British 'Raj' market as decorator pieces.
I'm sure there is a printed advertisment floating around somewhere from the first quarter 20thC, showing them with other 'familiar' 'indo-persian' weapons made for the same purpose which now are often optimistically described as 'ceremonial' or 'parade'.

From the 1927 Francis Bannerman Catalog:

Atlantia · 15th February 2012, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berkley

From the 1927 Francis Bannerman Catalog:

And as if by magic........
1927, I was close!

Thanks buddy!

I think they are fantastic, I'd like one myself.

whistlinbill · 15th February 2012, 05:06 PM

Simon, Gene and Berkley,
Thanks ever so much! You are again lifting the scales of ignorance from my
eyes! Gentlemen, you have no idea how much I appreciate your scholarship and willingness to share!
Bill

sirupate · 15th February 2012, 06:35 PM

A pleasure Bill

whistlinbill · 16th February 2012, 03:36 AM

Simon, I'm not sure if I answered you correctly on the Sheffield-made knives.
I only recall one or two kukris that we had out of Sheffield, and we had
LOTS of old stock from the factories there. It seems like the kukris came
from Joseph Rodgers--I'm right sure Ben Lowe made the comment about
religion re kukris.
I will ask Sudhir Windlass about their sales to the British before Indian independence and to the Indian Government afterwards.
If I recall correctly, their family name is Ved, and the shop was known
as "Ved and Sons".
I'll get back when I get hold of Sudhir.
Thanks,
Bill

15th February 2012, 10:50 AM	#1
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	Kukri no.17, most likey a WW2 IA issue kukri No.18, tourist No.19, most likely late 19th, or very early 20th century military issue kukri No.20, most likely a civilian kukri WW2-1960's No.21, civilian kukri circa WW2

15th February 2012, 11:19 AM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Bill, #18 is an interesting beastie! Many of these were made in the early part of the last century for the British 'Raj' market as decorator pieces. I'm sure there is a printed advertisment floating around somewhere from the first quarter 20thC, showing them with other 'familiar' 'indo-persian' weapons made for the same purpose which now are often optimistically described as 'ceremonial' or 'parade'. The mix of styles is fantastic, the exaggerated Kukri blade decorated in chiseled 'indo persian' style, the rather nice Tulwar hilt. What a great thing! I've often wondered if some of these were married up with older hilts. Even the one on yours is every bit as good (better in fact) that a hilt on a fine persian wootz Shamshir bladed Tulwar that I own. #21 is shown with the same combination frog and karda/chakmak pouches that are usually seen with the Indian ww2 era private purchase Kukri like #1 & #2. Best Gene

15th February 2012, 05:06 PM	#5
whistlinbill Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24	Simon, Gene and Berkley, Thanks ever so much! You are again lifting the scales of ignorance from my eyes! Gentlemen, you have no idea how much I appreciate your scholarship and willingness to share! Bill

15th February 2012, 06:35 PM	#6
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	A pleasure Bill

16th February 2012, 03:36 AM	#7
whistlinbill Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24	Simon, I'm not sure if I answered you correctly on the Sheffield-made knives. I only recall one or two kukris that we had out of Sheffield, and we had LOTS of old stock from the factories there. It seems like the kukris came from Joseph Rodgers--I'm right sure Ben Lowe made the comment about religion re kukris. I will ask Sudhir Windlass about their sales to the British before Indian independence and to the Indian Government afterwards. If I recall correctly, their family name is Ved, and the shop was known as "Ved and Sons". I'll get back when I get hold of Sudhir. Thanks, Bill