Falklands War Kukri

[mrcjgscott]

Originally Posted by sirupate

Your quite correct on the War Office, however, on the Mk5, that would be correct if the current Service issue was designated as a Mk5, but it isn't Chris

I have always disliked childish games. My least favourite as a child was one called "Simon Say's". I still don't care for it, even to this day...

The "Mark 5" has been in service since circa 1965, to the present day. It was introduced after the failure of the Mark 4. Therefore, it is the Mark 5

Unless you can prove that the Mark 5 has never been designated as "Mark 5" at any time during its long service life, then I guess we shall just have to agree to disagree.

[sirupate]

Originally Posted by mrcjgscott

I have always disliked childish games. My least favourite as a child was one called "Simon Say's". I still don't care for it, even to this day...

The "Mark 5" has been in service since circa 1965, to the present day. It was introduced after the failure of the Mark 4. Therefore, it is the Mark 5

Unless you can prove that the Mark 5 has never been designated as "Mark 5" at any time during its long service life, then I guess we shall just have to agree to disagree.

Well having supplied kukri to the Gurkhas in Brunei I can tell you that no reference was made to the term 'Mk5', but they did talk about the Mk3.
Potentially the earliest pictures I have seen of what the GM's in Pokhara and Winchester as well as the Gurkhas themselves call the Service number one (or ceremonial) is 1953.
There were also many interim kukri issued until the various regiments for whatever reason (probably financial) decided to settle on the service number one, examples of pictures of interim issued kukri are;
1. The picture of Tulbahadur Pun in 1953 shows him holding his service number one,
2. Chan Bahadur Gurung with his service kukri
3. 63rd Gurkha Brigade
4. Lalbahadur Gurung etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXEVYy4aNI
Picture GM in Pokhara

[mrcjgscott]

Originally Posted by sirupate

Well having supplied kukri to the Gurkhas in Brunei I can tell you that no reference was made to the term 'Mk5'

That is not how I understand it Simon, I believe you sent them some samples, and that was as far as it went. Quite a difference I think, and very misleading to claim you hold any kind of supply contract with them.

Originally Posted by sirupate

Potentially the earliest pictures I have seen of what the GM's in Pokhara and Winchester as well as the Gurkhas themselves call the Service number one (or ceremonial) is 1953.

Plenty of mistakes in both museums Simon. Note this image taken recently at Pokhara, clearly showing a WWA replica listed as original.

You seem to illustrate the “parade” version of the MKV. In uniform terms, a service No1 refers to a soldiers parade uniform. I believe this is where your confusion stems from.

Originally Posted by sirupate

There were also many interim kukri issued until the various regiments for whatever reason (probably financial) decided to settle on the service number one

Post WW2 most Gurkha units would have used up the vast stocks of MKII and MKIII left over from the war. Once these were gone, and the MK IV proved unsuccessful, it seems various regiments made their own arrangements until the MKV was decided upon. This took several years, and did not emerge until the mid 1960's.

It has now been in production for over 50 years with some variation, but basically unchanged. Its constant characteristics are a horn handle, brass furniture, and a 10 to 11 inch blade. Not all are marked and dated as you state, but most carry the words “Ordep” or “Ordep Nepal” and a date.


*Picture credit V.K.Kunwor*

[sirupate]

Answers in Brackets and bold;

Originally Posted by mrcjgscott

That is not how I understand it Simon, I believe you sent them some samples, and that was as far as it went. Quite a difference I think, and very misleading to claim you hold any kind of supply contract with them.
(Yes I did send samples, but I also supplied them with some kukri for private purchase buys. In the picture of WO1 Dai Charles and myself in Stonehouse Barracks teaching him and other RM btw, the kukri he is using is one of mine that he purchased off the Gurkha Shop in Brunei, ironic as we only live a couple of miles apart!)

Plenty of mistakes in both museums Simon. Note this image taken recently at Pokhara, clearly showing a WWA replica listed as original.
(I believe that is Spiral's picture from 2005, the museum has long since moved, and the kukri you refer to is not in the new Pokhara museum btw)

You seem to illustrate the “parade” version of the MKV. In uniform terms, a service No1 refers to a soldiers parade uniform. I believe this is where your confusion stems from.
(Outstanding lack of knowledge, if the current kukri were Mk5, it would be called Mk5 Ceremonial or Mk5 Service number one, but it isn't. On all the orders forms and correspondence I have seen for kukri for the Brigade of Gurkhas, there is no mention of Mk5 kukri, it is wholly incorrect to call them a Mk5)

Post WW2 most Gurkha units would have used up the vast stocks of MKII and MKIII left over from the war. Once these were gone, and the MK IV proved unsuccessful, it seems various regiments made their own arrangements until the MKV was decided upon. This took several years, and did not emerge until the mid 1960's.
(Oh really? considering that in WW2 the Gurkhas rarely used the Mk2 and Mk3 that is a fanciful statement of yours, and as the kukri were produced by the 'Indian Army', the kukri produced for the Indian Army after the partition would have remained with the Indian army, especially as the Gurkhas hardly ever used them!)

It has now been in production for over 50 years with some variation, but basically unchanged. Its constant characteristics are a horn handle, brass furniture, and a 10 to 11 inch blade. Not all are marked and dated as you state, but most carry the words “Ordep” or “Ordep Nepal” and a date.
(once again you make up words I am supposed to have said, amazing! at some point in the late 1980's the marking on the issue kukri stopped in the manner I spoke about when the Dharan base shut, for economic reasons, which is (for a while) where they made the kukri for the various Gurkha Regiments , and once again no Gurkha has referred to them as a Mk5!)


*Picture credit V.K.Kunwor*

[mrcjgscott]

As usual, I am seeing a lot of "Simon Says" and not a lot of evidence to back it up.

Originally Posted by sirupate

Yes I did send samples, but I also supplied them with some kukri for private purchase buys

So you didn't supply them. You sent some freebies and some Gurkhas bought some privately. Very VERY different!!

Originally Posted by sirupate

On all the orders forms and correspondence I have seen for kukri for the Brigade of Gurkhas

Evidence?

Originally Posted by sirupate

Oh really? considering that in WW2 the Gurkhas rarely used the Mk2 and Mk3 that is a fanciful statement of yours

Images attached, showing these kukri in use by gurkhas during WW2.
(You really need some more synonyms for the word "Fanciful")

Originally Posted by sirupate

(once again you make up words I am supposed to have said, amazing!

Really? Did I make this up?

Originally Posted by sirupate

PS Kukri in the Falklands War had blades around 28cm with issue date

Oh, no, I didn't.

Originally Posted by sirupate

I suggest it is yourself that is being fanciful!

It is quite clearly dated two years before you allege to have created it.

[sirupate]

Once again answers in brackets and in bold, to these rather stupid and childish nitpickings

Originally Posted by mrcjgscott

As usual, I am seeing a lot of "Simon Says" and not a lot of evidence to back it up.
So you didn't supply them. You sent some freebies and some Gurkhas bought some privately. Very VERY different!!

(Again twisting my words lol)

Images attached, showing these kukri in use by gurkhas during WW2.
(You really need some more synonyms for the word "Fanciful")
(Again your observations are very poor at best, no Mk2 or Mk3 kukri in those pictures, once again you are simply showing yourself up!)


Really? Did I make this up? Oh, no, I didn't. It is quite clearly dated two years before you allege to have created it.

(Lol, really fanciful, even my wife recognised it, she was with me in 2003 when I discussed with Tilak about the design)

It seems a shame that your sole object in life is to try and have a go at me, and yet at every turn you are proven wrong, infact you sound more and more like another person we both know, I'm beginning to think your his twin! lol

Anyway I have had enough of proving you wrong yet again, so this is my last comment on this thread, relax have a glass of red wine and chill out, the very best Simon

[mrcjgscott]

Originally Posted by sirupate

It seems a shame that your sole object in life is to try and have a go at me, and yet at every turn you are proven wrong

I couldn't really care less about you, but when you post nonsense about the subject I care about, somebody has to try and correct you...but I haven't seen you prove me wrong yet.

Unlike you, I am happy to be proven wrong if it furthers our collective knowledge, whereas you don't seem too keen on losing face. A shame really, if we could find common ground we might be able to learn more about the subject we are both interested in.

Originally Posted by sirupate

so this is my last comment on this thread, relax have a glass of red wine and chill out, the very best Simon

The most sensible thing you've said in the whole thread...