Another new, "old" kukri... a M43 variant.

Dirtbiker

Dirtbiker

Joined
Jul 2, 2010
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I picked up another WWII vintage kukri. This one is surely in the same family as the M43 but it has a few unique features, It might be an earlier or possible later version but judging by the construction and nearly identical blade shape I'd have to say they are from the same manufacturer. Chakmak and Karda are near identical shape with copper banding.

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This is where it gets interesting. Note the rivets,,, these are not set as deep as a traditional M43, and they are two sided.

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You will also notice that the handles is not finished as nice as the other M43s I have posted before.

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The weight is very similar to the other two 24.25 oz (compaired to 22.75 and 23.5)

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Now this sheath and frog I like better than the other two. Notice how it doesnt have a chape? I'm guessing this was either a private purchase kukri or was produced during the heat of the war when little metal was spared.

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The frog is top quality with heavy leather, buckles and rivets.

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Thanks for looking, and information or photos of your vintage kukris are welcomed.
 
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Vey nice

If you don't mind me asking where do you keep your eyes open to find these older ones you have shown lately
 
I look all over but Ebay is a good place to start. Do your research and learn how real WWI and WWII kukris were made and how they should look. For example on ebay currently there is a guy selling a fake WSC (Wilkenson Sword) kukri. He doesnt call it that but shows the WSC mark in his listing. A few minutes looking will show you how bogus his mark and date really is. (The WSC Kukri is the rarest and one of the most valuable/collectible kukris on the market)

Atlanta Cutlery and IMA both have real miliatry marked WWI kukris in stock for reasonable money. They are a great, easy, intro into collecting vintage kukris.
 
Pyro, there are actually quite a few popping up on the bay regularly. I couldn't believe this one wasn't picked up sooner than it was, as the original price was very good. Dirtbiker has found some nice khuks. The vintage khuks are a real joy to hold and just stare at. I have quite a few setting behind my desk and they give me a good feeling. They freak some people out, but those people don't need to come in my office anyway:) Be forewarned though, they're like Lay's potato chips.......
 
Lol ya I am already learning that from the regular HI ones let alone if I get into buying the vintage ones
 
The HI blades are much better finished and fit the western hand more than the vintage blades. I'm just very intrigued with the history that comes with an old blade.
 
Nice one Dirtbiker, it certanly looks within the range of late ww2 m43 varients of the mk.2 that ocour, interesting rivets but there are many slight variations, Grip might have been lightly sanded or if original was just made by another chap in the workshop on a different day.

Most m.43s with chapes & brown scabbards seem to be either American troop private purchase or perhaps even issue, most that turn up in England historicaly are black & chapeless.

spiral
 
Dirtbiker, can we get some shots of the spine? And how thick is it? I'm betting that those are much thinner then a lot of H.I. Khukri's in production today.
 
Heber, my M43 is about 1/4" at the bolster and doesn't taper much until after the shoulder, but tapers quickly after that into a pin point. It's a fast fighter for sure. My Mk. IIs are around 3/8" at the bolster and taper to about 1/4" at the shoulder. They have a nice balance. Honestly, many HI models aren't too thick at the bolster, it's just that the kamis often maintain that thicknes or go even thicker at the shoulder. That makes for a forward heavy chopper, but takes away from balance. You can get away with little taper in a 1/4" blade, but not any thicker in my opinion. I have an old Murali WWII with an almost 1/2" spine at bolster and it's actually over 1/2" at the shoulder. Nice, deep fullers make it handle well, but a thinner spine would make it dance in your hand. BTW, you haven't been wearing your bear skin coveralls in Provo Canyon lately have you:D
 
jdk1 said:
Heber, my M43 is about 1/4" at the bolster and doesn't taper much until after the shoulder, but tapers quickly after that into a pin point. It's a fast fighter for sure. My Mk. IIs are around 3/8" at the bolster and taper to about 1/4" at the shoulder. They have a nice balance. Honestly, many HI models aren't too thick at the bolster, it's just that the kamis often maintain that thicknes or go even thicker at the shoulder. That makes for a forward heavy chopper, but takes away from balance. You can get away with little taper in a 1/4" blade, but not any thicker in my opinion. I have an old Murali WWII with an almost 1/2" spine at bolster and it's actually over 1/2" at the shoulder. Nice, deep fullers make it handle well, but a thinner spine would make it dance in your hand. BTW, you haven't been wearing your bear skin coveralls in Provo Canyon lately have you:D
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Fullers are neat aren't they? Thanks for the reminder that spine thickness isn't always an indication on how it will handle. Though I do like my Sirupati's thin, my AK's thick and my blades sharp. ;) Nope, no bear skin coveralls and I have not been up Provo canyon since I moved back home. :( Maybe I can make time to do some hiking or backpacking up there next Spring. There are some great places around there if you are willing to hike to them.

Dirtbiker said:
Here are the spine shots.

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Thanks for the pictures! I like the tapered tangs and the variations. My heavy ASTK [18.5" long, 41.7oz] has a tapered tang so it's more blade heavy then other Chiruwa style handles that I've had in the past [the others had a more neutral balance].
 
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