20th Century British Military Pattern Gurkha kukri

Tim Simmons · 16th February 2006, 06:42 PM

This ww2 kukri is unmarked and has the scabbard without a chape, a picture of which is shown in Ron Flook's British and Commonwealth Military Knives. The rivets are sunken on both sides of the handle. Note the quite distinctive "V" cut for the spike thingy. Tim

spiral · 16th February 2006, 08:03 PM

Thankyou Andrew!

Tim, Nice kuk ! That style of scabbard was used on m.43 versians of the mk.2 as well as the one illustrated during WW2, But it was also made for many years afterwouds.

Your kukri while it may date from WW2 & could well have been carried would be private purchase not issue as it has brass bolsters. I did mention many kukri carried were not issue. For instance officers bought there own.

Many of this style were also made & sold commercialy in the 1950s so accurate dating is difficult unless you have reliable provinance?

That said your frog looks very WW2 to me.

I am not sure what "the spike thingy" is ?

normaly they have chakmak {a combined sharpening steel/flint striker & a karda, {a small knife.}

Thanks for sharing!

Spiral

Tim Simmons · 16th February 2006, 08:15 PM

Hello spiral, I meant by the spike thingy, the so called thumb spike thing what ever it is? The same model with this "V" cut can be seen on Page 197 plate 468 of the aforementioned book. It is ww2 as it was her husbands and he was an officer. A fascinating subject, Thanks for the info. Tim

spiral · 16th February 2006, 08:36 PM

Ahhh Yes I see Tim! sorry a misunderstanding! the spike is called a kaudi in Nepal. It normaly has religious significance & puts cosmic power into the kukri.{for hindus & sometimes buddhists.} Although many kukri kaudi have fairly simplified shapes.

Plate 468 is a standard ww2 mk.II kukri made by pioneer in Calcutta in 1943, it has steel bolsters /& buttplate & if you notice the spine is more rounded rather than angled or shoulderd like you specimein. Yours isnt a mk.2.

Its always nice to find a provinaced item! Congratulations!

As an officers it would be private purchase normaly although many would buy issue style kukris.

I would personaly would term yours "Private Purchase British Officers ww2 kukri" Rather than a pattern type.

Was the fellow a Gurkha, Chindit, RAF or another branch?

Spiral

16th February 2006, 06:42 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,876	This ww2 kukri is unmarked and has the scabbard without a chape, a picture of which is shown in Ron Flook's British and Commonwealth Military Knives. The rivets are sunken on both sides of the handle. Note the quite distinctive "V" cut for the spike thingy. Tim Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 16th February 2006 at 06:53 PM.

16th February 2006, 08:03 PM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Thankyou Andrew! Tim, Nice kuk ! That style of scabbard was used on m.43 versians of the mk.2 as well as the one illustrated during WW2, But it was also made for many years afterwouds. Your kukri while it may date from WW2 & could well have been carried would be private purchase not issue as it has brass bolsters. I did mention many kukri carried were not issue. For instance officers bought there own. Many of this style were also made & sold commercialy in the 1950s so accurate dating is difficult unless you have reliable provinance? That said your frog looks very WW2 to me. I am not sure what "the spike thingy" is ? normaly they have chakmak {a combined sharpening steel/flint striker & a karda, {a small knife.} Thanks for sharing! Spiral

16th February 2006, 08:15 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,876	Hello spiral, I meant by the spike thingy, the so called thumb spike thing what ever it is? The same model with this "V" cut can be seen on Page 197 plate 468 of the aforementioned book. It is ww2 as it was her husbands and he was an officer. A fascinating subject, Thanks for the info. Tim

16th February 2006, 08:36 PM	#4
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Ahhh Yes I see Tim! sorry a misunderstanding! the spike is called a kaudi in Nepal. It normaly has religious significance & puts cosmic power into the kukri.{for hindus & sometimes buddhists.} Although many kukri kaudi have fairly simplified shapes. Plate 468 is a standard ww2 mk.II kukri made by pioneer in Calcutta in 1943, it has steel bolsters /& buttplate & if you notice the spine is more rounded rather than angled or shoulderd like you specimein. Yours isnt a mk.2. Its always nice to find a provinaced item! Congratulations! As an officers it would be private purchase normaly although many would buy issue style kukris. I would personaly would term yours "Private Purchase British Officers ww2 kukri" Rather than a pattern type. Was the fellow a Gurkha, Chindit, RAF or another branch? Spiral