Gurkhas love a Limbu or Chainpure kukri, Today or in ww2!

S

spiraltwista

Joined
Nov 29, 2002
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I find it interesting that so many Gurkhas loved a Limbu kukri... even today as well as in WW2.

This style of well known village kukri is easily recognised by ther distinctive butt shape. Many have an enclosed cho or kaudi but not all.

Afghanistan Modern... {The 5th Afghan war.}

privatepurchaskukriAfghanistan_zps53dcf53b.jpg

{From Col.Bullocks "Britains Gurkhas"}

Probaly some these long sirupates styles are to. {Notice brass bits on scabbard typicle of mainstream kukri production for tourists & export today.} {Obviously A Gurkha would have checked it was welll fitted together & solid though, before purchase.} {Photo courtesy of my freind Matos. {A Frenchmen Officer who serves in many,many theartres.}


KAF10oct071-1.jpg



Interestingly some years ago Victoria cross winner Lance-Corporal Rambahadur Limbu, {later Captain. {QGO} who was in the 10th Gr in Malaya auctioned his personal carry kukri. Which interestingly was still the classical Limbu/Chainpuri style.

andViewlimbovc-2_zpsb71e4946.jpg


Heres an even more interesting picture showing a Gurkha Havaldar {Sargent.}{Of the 9th GR} clearly carrying a Limbu or Chainpuri style village kukri, in a possibly webbing covered scabard ? {Not certan.} in Malaya in late 1941, Obviously private purchase from Nepal or brought with him from his own village perhaps?

personel-kukri_zps9f3380dd.jpg


personal_zps46c37b27.jpg


So clearly some Gurkhas have historicaly carried thier own personal kukri in combat zones, even in ww2. {Not just British & Queens Gurkha Officers.}

Heres my 2 varients.... Interestingly {To me.}one is Angh Khoala & one is Double Tibetan hairpin folding. Both unusual varients.



limbukukri_zps323a768b.jpg


Spiral
 
I love history Spiral and you always make my day with your research. I know from reading and folks like yourself that the Sirupate is a favorite and now I'm more aware of the Limbu or Chainpuri style village kukri as part of that well liked and used group of fighting Kukris.

Would love to know the specifications on Rambahadur Limbu's personal Kukri in the picture above.

Thanks again.
 
Thanks Sweetcostarica!

I understand it was 15.5 inches long, Sadley thats the only spec. I have....

Wish I knew where it was now, the last known owner died in 2000, with no living relatives apparently.

Expect its still out there but probably lost its provenance...

Hope its not been missused to much.....

Spiral
 
The Gurkha's Kukri knives remind me warmly of the American Bowie knife... a true national blade, seeing use from everything from everyday hum-drum, to "survival", to war. Much respect to the Gurkhas and their Kukri blades!
 
The Seax, Gladius, Scottish Dirk, the Japanese Tanto, Bowie, and Kukri. Historic masterpieces used for war and peace. Although I have many of these knives if I was only allowed one it would be a Khukuri.

Just came across this very fine fighting Limbu or Chainpuri kukri below. Wish I knew the weight.
OAL 26.5 ".....BLADE, 20.5 "
PHOTOS BY CNDRM.
cndrm_limbu.jpgcndrm_limbu1.jpgetched_2.jpg
 
Thanks , Spiral, for all that cool work in telling this story. I really enjoy the pics, most of which I might never see were it not for you buddy.

Mark
 
Cheers Tal,, Thanks Mark... glad you booth could see it in the spirit it was intended..;)

Some people seem to have a problem seeing that... [or perhaps a vicious personal agenda of course....:o}

spiral
 
A personal agenda? I'm shocked, shocked, I tell you!

Thank you for the pictures. I have had an interest in history and archaeology for many years. Only in so recent an era can we look back at what really happened, see it, read the words, hear the recordings. As any archaeologist knows, most of all we need to start with some facts. Later we'll find support for more and more understanding.

Reading the official commentary about only issued kukris being allowed, I compare this to what I call the bureaucratic response. Ask what the facts are, and a bureaucrat will quote you what the rules say. :p
 
Esav Benyamin said:
A personal agenda? I'm shocked, shocked, I tell you!

Thank you for the pictures. I have had an interest in history and archaeology for many years. Only in so recent an era can we look back at what really happened, see it, read the words, hear the recordings. As any archaeologist knows, most of all we need to start with some facts. Later we'll find support for more and more understanding.

Reading the official commentary about only issued kukris being allowed, I compare this to what I call the bureaucratic response. Ask what the facts are, and a bureaucrat will quote you what the rules say. :p
Click to expand...

cheers Esav, I love history & archeology myself, Spend many hours field walking & occasionally on digs, picking up mesolithic tools that abound round the coast in this area,

Glad you enjoyed the pics, & thanks for your insight into the "issue" Glad you could see it in the spirit I intended,

Cheers Dirtbiker, you learn fast!

ATB,

Spiral
 
I know I'm late to the party, but wanted to say thanks for this wonderful post! I look forward to your posts very much.
 
I'm even later but I too love this kind of information. I've learned so much here that I'm on sensory overload just trying to retain it all.
A great post and great history. Thanks much for your efforts. I love the pictures too.
 
Thanks for another interesting post Spiral.

There aren't many experts here. Most of us are still learning.
 
Thank for the accolade Howard, but Im just a student, I still try to learn something from evry kukri I see... usualy I can...

Spiral
 
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