Did the English make katars?

B.I · 19th April 2007, 06:40 PM

Hi Jens,
Good question

Dont know about the English, but I have seen 'European' katars, but these are presentation pieces, and not done for 'common' soldiers. The style and craft is definately not Indian, and dont seem English either. The few I have seen have a French feel (Pondichery?), but thats just speculation.

Jim McDougall · 19th April 2007, 09:02 PM

Hi Jens,
Most interesting question, and well reasoned since as you point out, the British did indeed make kukris. The British were considerably busy during the last quarter of the 19th c and first part of the 20th, making many forms of 'colonial' weapons. They did make tulwars for native cavalry troops in the Northwest Frontier and I once had two of these made by Mole (Birmingham).

I'm not aware of any British made katars, and I believe these were as Rick and B.I. have noted, typically a weapon used by individuals of some status and not typically used by rank and file. As always, there would be exceptions as these became battlefield trophies.

All the best,
Jim

19th April 2007, 06:40 PM	#1
B.I Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 485	Hi Jens, Good question Dont know about the English, but I have seen 'European' katars, but these are presentation pieces, and not done for 'common' soldiers. The style and craft is definately not Indian, and dont seem English either. The few I have seen have a French feel (Pondichery?), but thats just speculation.

19th April 2007, 09:02 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,785	Hi Jens, Most interesting question, and well reasoned since as you point out, the British did indeed make kukris. The British were considerably busy during the last quarter of the 19th c and first part of the 20th, making many forms of 'colonial' weapons. They did make tulwars for native cavalry troops in the Northwest Frontier and I once had two of these made by Mole (Birmingham). I'm not aware of any British made katars, and I believe these were as Rick and B.I. have noted, typically a weapon used by individuals of some status and not typically used by rank and file. As always, there would be exceptions as these became battlefield trophies. All the best, Jim