Can Someone Help ID This?

[Vess]

Got this old khuk a few days back. It's pretty banged up, and looks pretty old. There are markings on the scabbard, but I don't know what they mean. Soooo, any idea how old it might be, where it was probably made, etc?

It is full-tang, with two rivets (one missing), without any markings on the blade. The sheath is really ornate, and the pouch attached at the back used to house 6 smaller blades, which are also gone now...

 

[Brendan]

Probably way off but I'd hazard it to be a WW2 officers presentation khuk !!

I'm no expert though !!

Where JP ??

 

[JDP]

Vess,
You have a post war kothimora (probably 1950s) that was used by the mess boys. These aren't of very high quality, but are the real thing. Where is the pouch? A picture would help as it was a later addition but may hold some clues.

 

[Vess]

I thought it was a WW2 period khuk too. But why would a kothimora have a pouch for 6 smaller knives, since it's not a daily-use blade I thought you'd need karda and chakma and that's it...

Anyone know what the symbols on the scabbard might mean (the fish and that round medallion)? Just trying to find out everything I can about it, since it'll be hanging on my living room wall...

BTW, the handle is really comfy, not too big or blocky or anything...

Here are the pics of the back of the sheath and the pouch.

 

[JDP]

The fish is a very standard and lucky symbol used in many Nepali designs. The deity in the medallion is 'Cheppu' who is another of the many deities used as decoration. If it was a higher quality knife or a presentation piece these images might have actual meaning.

The trousse pouch could be a replacement and the small tools might have actually been used by its owner either in the mess or as a pipes & drums member. They can hold some pretty useful tools like scissors, screwdriver, small slicing knife...all kinds of good stuff.

Give your kothimora a light polish, clean up the grip and you'll have a nice piece for your wall.