History

[Andre Simpson]

Hi all.

I have been looking at some of the posts here on old/antique khukuris and was wondering if you had any of the stories behind them.

For example: a military issue khukui, do you know who it was issued to, where it was used etc.

One reason I ask, is that my dad is president of the local Antique Arm society here in Canberra an we have done this kind of thing with a few of our rifles, there is some really interesting history out there if you look for it.

I may also be able to dig up a few contacts and/or places to start this sort of research.

Andre



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"He who sees first, lives longest. "

 

[Bill Martino]

Andre, John Powell, is our resident expert in this area and he generally stops by every day so I'll hand this one over to him.

Uncle Bill

 

[John Powell]

Resident, yes. Expert, hardly. More like an interested novice by comparison to Bill, but thanks for the thought. ANDRE, very little is handed down with these khukuris since for years dealers put no value to them and their provenance is lost. Just another minor war surplus item or hand forged 'curvy knife'. Some are marked by regiment and can be traced, the same as certain models can be placed in a war or specific period of time. There are presentation kothimoras that actually have the circumstances elaborately engraved on the blade and hopefully have original presentation certificates with them. The cho, grooves and curve of the blade can tell where it's from. Types of sheaths give you country of origin and age. I have been lucky enough to get a few thru estate sales where the owner was a retired British Gurkha officer and could not only trace a regiment but battles fought. It is rare to nonexistant to have a Gurkha family give up a blade that was carried by a brother, father or grandfather. You are in a good area to find some interesting khukuris. Australian troops were at Gallipoli as were the Gurkhas, the Asian campaigns and Chindit actions of WW II were fought together, and Gurkhas have been in Borneo, Malaysia and Singapore since then working around old SEATO agreements. One of the most unique khukuris I have came from an antique store right in Sydney. Post a picture of what you've got and maybe we can help with its' history.

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JP

 

[Bill Martino]

Good advice, John. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Uncle Bill

 

[ghostsix]

My first stop would be the ANZAC museaum right there in town.Let us know what you find.

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