Do antique khukri knives have any value?

[darkshines1984]

I have a Gurkan (or possibly Indian) Khukri knife that was given to my great granad during world war 1. He was given it by a Gurkhan officer during service together.
It has a black wooden handle with some sort of bronze (i think) inlay with white spots around it (possibly mother of pearl). It has lions head hilt (possibly silver).
The blade has a strange hand done inlay across one side of the blade that looks like brail. It has wing like patters, a flower and the word 'India'.

There are a few chips in the handle, the hilt is loose and the blade has certainly been used but it is a nice peice with plenty of charactor.
I don't know the first thing about Khukri's but my nan wants to know if its worth anything. If anyone has any idea then please please let me know or she'll pester the living daylights out of me!

 

[darkwater205]

Well, I might pay something for it...pictures would be great and a good way to tap into the knowledge found in abundance on this forum.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Welcome

Since this isn't about an actual HI khuk, I'm gonna pop this over to the Cantina (where off topic khuk stuff usually goes).

Pics would be HUGELY beneficial. We have a lot of khuk experts around here that are more than willing to help out.

Once again, welcome to the forums

 

[HARPERSGRACE]

I hate to sound negative but what you're describing is basically a tourist piece they have been made since at least the 40's, I have never heard of one being earlier than that...the handle is more than likely horn and the metal work would have been done in white metal... the value is very subjective I have seen them go for as little as 5 bucks or as high as 50. I am only going by your description, photos are a must...I am assuming it is like the one pictured here on top. I paid ten dollars for that one years ago it's about 25in long. you also might want to post your question at http://www.ikrhs.com/forums/

 

[sta94]

I second what Harpersgrace says. Descriptive words like "lions head pommel" and "India inscriptions" usually mean the large quantity of cheaply & poorly made khukuris targeted at tourists. These are really not worth much. Once in a while you'll see decent-made khukuris with lions-head pommel, but these are very few & far between. And yup, IKRHS and the Antique Kukri Forum in Swordforum.com are good places to discuss antique khukuris - a wealth of information out there.