Falklands War Kukri

[harrywagner]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

The Gurkha unit which served in the Falklands War was the 7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles. IF this is a commemorative Kukhri, which I personally doubt, then the badge would be that of the particular Unit. I do not see that badge on your item though the pics are rather blurred.
Stu

Good catch Stu. Thanks. It is not the 7th. I was mistaken. If you google "gurkha rifles falklands kukri" you'll see knives described as 7th presentation. Some of them look similar, but not exact. This looks like a presentation piece to me, but I agree, not to anyone in the 7th. The silver mounts on the sheath are thin, but it's a nice knife otherwise - for a presentation piece. Some better photos attached.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by harrywagner

Good catch Stu. Thanks. It is not the 7th. I was mistaken. If you google "gurkha rifles falklands kukri" you'll see knives described as 7th presentation. Some of them look similar, but not exact. This looks like a presentation piece to me, but I agree, not to anyone in the 7th. The silver mounts on the sheath are thin, but it's a nice knife otherwise - for a presentation piece. Some better photos attached.

If this is indeed a presentation piece I would have expected the silverwork to be of better quality.........

[harrywagner]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

If this is indeed a presentation piece I would have expected the silverwork to be of better quality.........

I would be very surprised if it wasn't a presentation piece. It's too pretty for everyday use. It was probably presented to someone in a relatively low-level position, given the quality of the piece. I am happy it is not Falkland Island related. I am going to put this one down as presentation, unknown recipient, second-half 20th. Hopefully that is not too far from the mark. Thanks for the help!

Harry

[Battara]

Oh no question that this is a presentation piece. However, the old master silver-smiths may be long gone, and so we have who is left.

Now if this were for a king................

[sirupate]

As far as I am aware the Gurkhas didn't do a commemorative kukri for the Falklands War, the 2nd Gurkha Rifles and the 6th Gurkha Rifles (mainly made up of Magar and Gurung) were amalgamated in to the 1st Royal Gurkha Rifles in 1994, the 7th Gurkha Rifles and the 10th Gurkha rifles (mainly made up of Rai and Limbu) were amalgamated fully in 1996 to form the 2nd Royal Gurkha Rifles
PS Kukri in the Falklands War had blades around 28cm with issue date

[Battara]

Well, then, Sirapate, could this piece have been commissioned by one of the particular Gurkha companies for an officer?

[mrcjgscott]

Hello all,

The kukri Harry shows is a typical mid to late 20th century presentation kothimora.

This piece does not appear to have any military association. Similar kukri readily available commercially to this day, so anybody could go and buy one, but I have seen example which either have a presentation plaque attached the front, or which have come on a ready made stand which has said plaque attached.

As has already been stated, such examples usually carry a regimental badge in place of the standard crossed kukris, but not always.

As similar kukri are still produced today, so dating can be difficult. However, there is no reason that this example couldn't date back as far as the Falklands conflict, but naturally without any provenance or supporting evidence then that is as far as the attribution can go.

As they have been made over a long period of time, the quality can vary greatly, as can the silver content, purity and amount. As with most things, older tends to be better.

More often than not I see these pieces being given FROM gurkhas, rather than to them, usually officers and men who have either been posted alongside gurkhas in the field, etc. Part of the Gurkha tradition of gift giving to ones friends.

A good display piece, which will look good alongside your others, but I wouldn't attempt to chop anything with it.

All the best,

Chris