Identification Help

Slatts

Slatts

Joined
Feb 16, 2005
Messages
1,549
Sorry if I'm putting this in the wrong forum, but you look like the guys that could probably help me out with identifying this kukri/gurkha blade. It belongs to a friend of mine who has had it in the family for a long time. He thought it was used in the Nepalese army (I haven't a clue if that's correct). He knew I was into knives and loaned it to me to help identify, but I'm mostly into hunting knives so am clueless on these. Any help identifying the maker, approximate age, value, and any other pertinent info would be great.

Here are some pictures.....

gurkha.jpg


gurkhaandsheath.jpg


handle.jpg


makersmark.jpg


scrollwork.jpg


pommel.jpg


sheathfront.jpg


sheathback.jpg
 
Not military. Made in India. Khukuri of this style have been made in India since the 1920's as souvenirs. Quality varies from pretty good to pretty bad.

The scabbard looks way above average for this type.
 
Nasty said:
And your frog is upside down.

.
Click to expand...

Same to ya, buddy.

Frog, eh? I know the type that go rbbbit and sit on lilly pads. Anyone care to explain?

Thanks!
 
Slatts?

and here I was restraining myself from making a bad joke...then you go and...


er...

the frog is the suspender. The one depicted has the loops facing to the pointed end. Take it off, slide it up, and have the loops facing up. The pockets for the small knives faces in.

These are to be attached to your belt on your left side, and the scabbord held BACK FROM THE EDGE with the left hand, while the right hand carefully draws out the blade. Like a sword dealie.
 
Except there are all those pics of Ghorkas carrying them on the right hip. Still waiting for explanation of mechanics of "draw." (I reject the notion of a disproportionate number of "lefties.")
 
Looks like an Indian lionshead tourist model khuk. (Just read the whole thread; what Thomas said!) Your friend might sharpen it up and try it out see how good the steel and heat treat is. I think these are pretty common.

I'll bet the frog is setup that way so that you can do an upside down quick draw from your belt. I'll bet that would be real fast! (-: (Just make sure you have your steel toed boots on...!)

Regards,

Norm
 
Thanks for the frog advice. I made the adjustment and now it's positioned correctly. I think you're right about it being a tourist model. In the maker's stamp I can make out "Handicraft Centre" which makes it sound like it's mainly for show.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Except there are all those pics of Ghorkas carrying them on the right hip. Still waiting for explanation of mechanics of "draw." (I reject the notion of a disproportionate number of "lefties.")
Click to expand...

If I understand you correctly, you mean a right-hand-cross-draw sheath that is being worn on the right hip, so to make drawing with the right hand very difficult?

If so, my understanding is that in the old days of swords and such, anything worn on the right hip was considered your "secondary" weapon. Riflemen would put a small single-shooter on the right hip/sash for quick access while your fighting hand (right) was occupied. Since you only needed it as a last-ditch-effort...shooting it with your left hand (with less accuracy) didn't really matter. After those failed, then you would resort to your knife which would be on your right side for quick right-hand-draw.

So, first, crossdraw (w/right) the sword in it's frog/scabbard on the left, then crossdraw (w/left) your khukuri on your right hip, then same-side-draw your belt knife also on your right hip.

Again, my understanding, which, admittedly, does have its limitations.




And, Welcome Slatts!
 
Also, almost all the pictures of civilians with khukuri carried in a sash also show the butt towards the left.

And they are usually smiling.
 
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