Afghan kukri with Armory marks? With pix.

Rick · 15th June 2006, 09:40 PM

Spiral,
Interesting how the marks had changed over just a few years . I wonder if these kukris were private purchase (no broad arrow mark) or a comission from the Brits who were firmly ensconced (sp?) in Afghanistan during this time . They had a long standing treaty with Abdur Rahman with the aim of keeping the Russians away from the approaches to India .

Possibly you might want to check this piece for signs of pattern welding .

Now that I have gotten my sabre out I have discovered yet another stamping on the opposite side of the quillon !
This will be the subject for another thread if I can pull a decent picture of it .
So, many thanks to *you* Spiral !

spiral · 15th June 2006, 11:36 PM

Tim, traditional Nepali & Indian bolsters are made from folded thin sheet, bent round the rebate in the handle & brazed.Not cast. appearances can be decieving! some later issue Indian made military ones are blocks of steel welded on then ground.

Rick to naked eye I cant see signs of pattern welding & dont think I will etch this one to truly find out yet. Have any other swords from this armoury shown pattern welding?

lots of issue kukri didnt have the broad arrow mark, but I think this kukri if for British army Gurkhas would be for officers only, {as you say private purchase.} as it is pure weapon not a tool. Inlisted mens were both utility & weapons capable.

{officers didnt cut firewood etc.}

My knowledge of Afghaistan at this point is weak but I think the British had left by then? & Abdur Rahman was ruling? {obviosly we were still playing on Indian N.W.F.} but I may be mistaken.

I am wondering if he imployed any Gurkha mercenaries or bodygaurds perhaps ? or were allocated Any by the Brits.?

As it appers these kukri carry the same arsenal marks as offcial Afghan goverment swords? presuably this was an official goverment arsenal?

Also 2 of the 4 examples are known to have been picked up in Afghanistan, which seems a high percentage? {to date anyway!}

I would be interested in yours veiws & any info or points anyone might have.

Spiral

Ps. I just have to find a sword or two with those marks now!

Rick · 16th June 2006, 01:33 AM

Hi Spiral , if I recall correctly Mazar I Sharif was a Afghan Royal Armory .

I'm also fairly sure from what I have read that there was a strong treaty in force with Abdur Rahman and a settled border with Russia about that time .

It would make sense that in such a delicate area the British would have wanted at least a minimal representative force on the ground to insure the peace and guard against Russian intrigue ; thus Gurkha troops may well have been present .

An interesting read on this time, area and the politics is *The Great Game* by Peter Hopkirk .

The Afghan sabre that I have is seldom seen for sale although with the presence of Western troops there this may change . I believe in my years of collecting I have only seen 8 or 10 examples of this style sabre . I have seen the hilts and variations thereof mounted to Khyber blades ; doubtful that these Khyber blades were from the royal armory though .

15th June 2006, 11:36 PM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Tim, traditional Nepali & Indian bolsters are made from folded thin sheet, bent round the rebate in the handle & brazed.Not cast. appearances can be decieving! some later issue Indian made military ones are blocks of steel welded on then ground. Rick to naked eye I cant see signs of pattern welding & dont think I will etch this one to truly find out yet. Have any other swords from this armoury shown pattern welding? lots of issue kukri didnt have the broad arrow mark, but I think this kukri if for British army Gurkhas would be for officers only, {as you say private purchase.} as it is pure weapon not a tool. Inlisted mens were both utility & weapons capable. {officers didnt cut firewood etc.} My knowledge of Afghaistan at this point is weak but I think the British had left by then? & Abdur Rahman was ruling? {obviosly we were still playing on Indian N.W.F.} but I may be mistaken. I am wondering if he imployed any Gurkha mercenaries or bodygaurds perhaps ? or were allocated Any by the Brits.? As it appers these kukri carry the same arsenal marks as offcial Afghan goverment swords? presuably this was an official goverment arsenal? Also 2 of the 4 examples are known to have been picked up in Afghanistan, which seems a high percentage? {to date anyway!} I would be interested in yours veiws & any info or points anyone might have. Spiral Ps. I just have to find a sword or two with those marks now! Last edited by spiral; 16th June 2006 at 12:22 AM.

15th June 2006, 09:40 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Spiral, Interesting how the marks had changed over just a few years . I wonder if these kukris were private purchase (no broad arrow mark) or a comission from the Brits who were firmly ensconced (sp?) in Afghanistan during this time . They had a long standing treaty with Abdur Rahman with the aim of keeping the Russians away from the approaches to India . Possibly you might want to check this piece for signs of pattern welding . Now that I have gotten my sabre out I have discovered yet another stamping on the opposite side of the quillon ! This will be the subject for another thread if I can pull a decent picture of it . So, many thanks to you Spiral !

16th June 2006, 01:33 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Hi Spiral , if I recall correctly Mazar I Sharif was a Afghan Royal Armory . I'm also fairly sure from what I have read that there was a strong treaty in force with Abdur Rahman and a settled border with Russia about that time . It would make sense that in such a delicate area the British would have wanted at least a minimal representative force on the ground to insure the peace and guard against Russian intrigue ; thus Gurkha troops may well have been present . An interesting read on this time, area and the politics is The Great Game by Peter Hopkirk . The Afghan sabre that I have is seldom seen for sale although with the presence of Western troops there this may change . I believe in my years of collecting I have only seen 8 or 10 examples of this style sabre . I have seen the hilts and variations thereof mounted to Khyber blades ; doubtful that these Khyber blades were from the royal armory though .