A Rajput with his sword

Jim McDougall · 19th September 2007, 11:24 PM

Very impressive grouping Spiral!!! Thanks for posting these.
It is really interesting to see a kukri with Afghan weapons! though I know the Afghan military followed British military fashion closely in the latter 19th c. and military issue kukris would seem in line. Was that the case?

Your point on the marking corresponding to those on coins of the period is spot on, this was how I originally confirmed the stamped marking on a c.1890's Afghan miliary sabre. Nusimatics can sometimes be very helpful in blade marking identification.

Best regards,
Jim

spiral · 19th September 2007, 11:44 PM

Hi Jim, I think that particular kukri is offcial Afghan military issue, but i have others that are much more Afghan tribal as well, I think the Afghans copied any sword firearm or knife they found usefull?

I know of & have seen kukri captured from Afghanis by the 9th Gurkhas as late as 1932 in Waziristan during "incidents" with Afghan based tribes.

The bayonet is an Afghan copy of the 1888 Brit, lee metford bayonet, the sabre I guess is for Afghan cavalry? it seems rather kilij in style to me? But such weapons are not truly my strong point.

Spiral

19th September 2007, 11:24 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,200	Very impressive grouping Spiral!!! Thanks for posting these. It is really interesting to see a kukri with Afghan weapons! though I know the Afghan military followed British military fashion closely in the latter 19th c. and military issue kukris would seem in line. Was that the case? Your point on the marking corresponding to those on coins of the period is spot on, this was how I originally confirmed the stamped marking on a c.1890's Afghan miliary sabre. Nusimatics can sometimes be very helpful in blade marking identification. Best regards, Jim

19th September 2007, 11:44 PM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Hi Jim, I think that particular kukri is offcial Afghan military issue, but i have others that are much more Afghan tribal as well, I think the Afghans copied any sword firearm or knife they found usefull? I know of & have seen kukri captured from Afghanis by the 9th Gurkhas as late as 1932 in Waziristan during "incidents" with Afghan based tribes. The bayonet is an Afghan copy of the 1888 Brit, lee metford bayonet, the sabre I guess is for Afghan cavalry? it seems rather kilij in style to me? But such weapons are not truly my strong point. Spiral