“Ring Grip” Kukris, A Fresh Perspective.

sirupate · 10th July 2016, 01:43 AM

For other evidence regarding Ring Handled kukri please go to the links blow
Gurkha Museum Visit Feb 2016
Clarrification Mess Orderly kukri
Major-General Mike Callan’s sent details of his kukri, and they are as follows;
“I have dug out my old issue kukri from the garden shed. It has been used as a utility tool in the garden, just as a Gurkha would. (You know of course that the common belief that kukris can only be drawn to shed blood is complete nonsense). Mine is now very battered and rusty, but after reading your notes I took a closer look at it. The first thing is that it has no maker's mark, and seems to differ from the ones you described.
The dimensions are: Length from tip of blade to tip of handle - 42 cm. From the tip of blade to the start of the angle (approx. 15 degrees) on back of blade - 19.5 cm, and from there to the join at handle - 12.5 cm. Depth of blade at widest part - 5.3 cm, and thickness of blade at back before it tapers down towards the point - 7 mm.
The hardwood handle is 10.5 cm long, with a steel plate on the end, and has two steel bands round (to prevent splitting) and is secured to the blade by *two rivets. The center of the handle is carved to provide the grip. It is a nicely balanced weapon with a good "feel”. The weight is 548 gms.”
Since the correspondence Major-General Mike Callan kindly sent me down his kukri so I could handle it and document it for myself. It is very similar to one in the GM, which has a different Kaudi and brass rings and butt plate.

sirupate · 10th July 2016, 01:57 AM

I then asked the Curator about the kukri worn by the 3 GR Mess Orderly in WW2, as a follow up to the query of the 10 GR Orderlies in 1948.
Me; "So would it be fairly safe to say that the 3 GR Orderly (WW2) in the attached picture is also wearing an issued kukri?

Kind regards Simon"

Curator; "Probably!"
(It must be noted that the GM doesn't have the records of 3GR, they are in India)
Probably = almost certainly; as far as one knows or can tell.

Also keep in mind what Lt. Col. Cross said; "mess NCOs and mess orderlies, were sent from rifle companies for a spell - quite how long I can't remember"

10th July 2016, 01:43 AM	#1
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	For other evidence regarding Ring Handled kukri please go to the links blow Gurkha Museum Visit Feb 2016 Clarrification Mess Orderly kukri Major-General Mike Callan’s sent details of his kukri, and they are as follows; “I have dug out my old issue kukri from the garden shed. It has been used as a utility tool in the garden, just as a Gurkha would. (You know of course that the common belief that kukris can only be drawn to shed blood is complete nonsense). Mine is now very battered and rusty, but after reading your notes I took a closer look at it. The first thing is that it has no maker's mark, and seems to differ from the ones you described. The dimensions are: Length from tip of blade to tip of handle - 42 cm. From the tip of blade to the start of the angle (approx. 15 degrees) on back of blade - 19.5 cm, and from there to the join at handle - 12.5 cm. Depth of blade at widest part - 5.3 cm, and thickness of blade at back before it tapers down towards the point - 7 mm. The hardwood handle is 10.5 cm long, with a steel plate on the end, and has two steel bands round (to prevent splitting) and is secured to the blade by *two rivets. The center of the handle is carved to provide the grip. It is a nicely balanced weapon with a good "feel”. The weight is 548 gms.” Since the correspondence Major-General Mike Callan kindly sent me down his kukri so I could handle it and document it for myself. It is very similar to one in the GM, which has a different Kaudi and brass rings and butt plate. Attached Images

10th July 2016, 01:57 AM	#2
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	I then asked the Curator about the kukri worn by the 3 GR Mess Orderly in WW2, as a follow up to the query of the 10 GR Orderlies in 1948. Me; "So would it be fairly safe to say that the 3 GR Orderly (WW2) in the attached picture is also wearing an issued kukri? Kind regards Simon" Curator; "Probably!" (It must be noted that the GM doesn't have the records of 3GR, they are in India) Probably = almost certainly; as far as one knows or can tell. Also keep in mind what Lt. Col. Cross said; "mess NCOs and mess orderlies, were sent from rifle companies for a spell - quite how long I can't remember" Attached Images