Hello to Cantina & pics of my WWII-era Khuk from JP collection

S

sta94

Joined
Jul 7, 2008
Messages
275
Hello, I recently introduced myself in the main HI forum - re-introduced actually as I’m a former forumite back after a long gap. Here’s my intro post: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=655143

Anyways thought I should step into the Cantina as well and make my greetings. I’ve seen quite a few of you at some other forums too, so you may have already seen the photos below. If so, I apologize for overdoing things. But being a new guy (kinda), and with a new guy’s enthusiasm I’m posting here pictures of my old khukuri that I purchased from well-known khukuri collector, John Powell back in 2000 or 2001.

Please don't mind the crappy pictures, I took them last year. At the moment the khukuri is in storage in the U.S., while I am in Asia, so I'm afraid I cannot give you guys any measurements, details, new photos, etc.

My highly uneducated guess is that this khukuri seems to be from the WWII or immediate aftermath period. Looks like military issue, or atleast styled after military issue. There are no markings anywhere on the khukuri or scabbard. Size-wise, like I said I don't have the exact measurement, but going by memory, it is a little longer than current service models, so I think it's safe to say the blade is around 10-11 inches long, maybe an inch longer. Normal-size handle, so maybe around 5 inches handle. Spine is on the thinner side compared to the ones usually seen today. Weight on the lighter side for its size. Overall, it feels light and fast in my hands. A good, solid khukuri!

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Feedback from some experts and researchers: most are of the opinion that it may have been intended for private purchase (brass pommel being an indication), possibly by Allied servicemen in the CBI theatre. Many US aircrew serving in that theatre bought similar khukuris. A bit of a transitional model from the MKII to the MKIII, with a MKII/M43 type handle and an angled spine similar to a MKIII (but not quite).

Another researcher mentioned that the khukuri blade is neither MKII or MKIII but of good quality nonetheless. The handle indicates that it could be made by the same place that manufactured the M43 service khukuris. I really like this piece, even more so considering that it’s from the John Powell collection.

Any additional feedback from you folks iwill be highly appreciated :)
 
Does indeed look similar to my M-43. The aircrews in wwII were flying over the hump to supply China and Burma. They picked up lots of local survival gear to take along.
 
It is great to see a genuine historic or antique Khukuri here in the Cantina.

My keen interest in getting into this area of Khuk appreciation is only matched by my fear of getting 'burnt' by purchasing a fake.

Looking at such a fine example and reading about its classification greatly helps build up my knowledge base, perhaps leading one day to getting the 'real deal'?
 
Thanks for the appreciation, guys!

b.c. molin, there is a wealth of information out there in a couple of dedicated discussion forums re: antique khukuris, including articles on how to spot fakes, etc.
 
That is a nice one.

Did JP's book ever get printed? I can't remember. Been a few.

Miss his amazing/beautiful calendars.


Mike
 
Ad Astra, thanks for appreciating! And as far as I'm aware, I don't think JP's planned book ever got published. Anybody else can give more details?

Other researchers have taken JP's initial research further and added more information to the antique khukuri field, there's a neat article classifying military issues, you can see it in several of the forums focusing on antique/historical khukuris. Good info in there.
 
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