Khukuri Markings

I'm not sure but I will post the picture up for you so others can see it more easily. That looks like a very old khuk. Good luck!


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श्री=śrī and (candra?,dal?) something. Not the typical sri 3 chandra. Hmmm. May be older? dont think its numbers at the end because they have a roof over them. Maybe wrong. I usually am:D
Ill edit some more when I get home!

Guess so far (subject to more edits) = śrī dal
 
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Thanks for the input, ndoghouse. Whether you're right or wrong, it was more than I could come up with. This khuk is the only one we have that has any engraving along the spine and I've been a mite curious as to what it might mean. Thanks again.
 
I appreciate the help, Philllll. At least I figured out how to get a link to work. Yes, the khuk is quite old and I know it's older than my late Dad. It is still very solid and quite sharp. Both sides of the cutting edge are quite smooth, so there has been no files or grinder taken to it in the past many years.
 
If you get a chance some more pic would be cool as always! Its definitely and old blade. Im sure of the first marking on your blade and the lack of other markings make it unusual. Theres several old threads with lots of info on these old Khuks and inscriptions. Heres one of them that has many links to more good info.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...Historical-Khukuri-Long-leaf-Victorian/page18
That one looks like a Gurka Army Khukri. There are many different sizes and shapes. Most of the inscriptions are found on the larger blades some refer to as "longleaf" but there are inscriptions on some of the shorter Bhojpures but they were mostly without markings.

oops just saw your photo thread. Bawannas helping you. Your in good hands!
 
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Hi ndoghouse. The youngest Son was over tonight to work on a less than stellar MK III by filing the tang down to the wood to improve his grip and it's appearance. Before he left, he drug out the old knife and took a photo of it for me. I'll see if I can post it.
I haven't measured it, but I suspect it's about a foot and a half long which is about the same size as the rest of the old man's stash.
 
ndoghouse, I read the link. What is an AC Longleaf? Sounds like some old chewing tobacco I used to use......
 
Bookie said:
ndoghouse, I read the link. What is an AC Longleaf? Sounds like some old chewing tobacco I used to use......
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Does sound like tobacky! AC is short for Atlanta Cutlery and you may also see IMA International Military Antiques. These are the two companies that sell these antiques.
Lot of good info here as well.

http://sirkukri.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-kukri-knife-of-gurkhas-historical.html

http://www.swordforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?137-The-Antique-Kukri-Forum

"Longleaf" for lack of better word is just what the companies AC and IMA decided to call them in order to sell them off. They are actually Gurkha Army issue Khuks that saw service even after WWII by the Nepalese and British.
So the old man has more? Love to see pics of them as well when ya get the pic stuff figured out.
 
Here is a pic of my favorite which looks much like yours. This one is a sri 3 chandra (श्री ३ चंन्द्र) Shree Jung Battalion (श्री जंग)
The Shree Jung unit apparently specialised in Prime minister & Durbar Palace security in Kathmandu.
... (from http://khukurilipi.blogspot.com/)
Durbar Palace in Kathmandu is the source of all these weapons that were sold off in a shady deal to American companies (IMA and AC) in 2003 and in reality should have been preserved as a national treasure to the Nepalese people but not much can be done about it now:barf: Best we as collectors can do is try to preserve them for historical reasons. Some have used, rehandled, modified them etc. but personally i prefer to preserve them. Fortunately there are plenty of them around but someday who knows? You might note that yours does not have the shree "3" inscription tying it to the prime minister at that time which was Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana. It still could be though.
See for more info.
http://staefcraeft.blogspot.com/2009/10/thrice-honoured-moon-mystery-of.html

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Here is a clip i compiled from a few experts on the matter (Spiral Twista, Berkley, and a few other more knowledgeable people)which describes the structure of the inscriptions. The were also rifles made from the stash that were hand made just like these Khuks. That must have been an amazing task in itself as they had little tools to work with but they did it. They also sported the same inscriptions. Theres months of readings and very interesting history on these Khuks and weapons. The history can suck you in for a long time for sure. Might even learn some Devnagari as well:thumbup: Here is another same era blade owned by Bawanna on this forum. This one is "Rai ?" something or other? The unknown ones like this one and yours are interesting just because they are unique.
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Man I should pick one of those up while I can, but alas I always spend on other stuff.
 
]ndoghouse, many thanks. Sorry I started this thread in the wrong place. look at what you got me into! Went to bed at 7 this morning after staying up all night traipsing through the internet looking for Khuk "stuff" that you hinted at. I now know what a Longleaf is and that my knife looks like yours and the ones at Atlanta Cutlery which they call Bhojpure. Crikey! There is an awful lot of info/knowledge out there about these blades. I always thought these things were junk kept in an old pasteboard box and were not worth much. Wish there had been photos in the second link provided. [I like that little anvil in your top photo. I'm a traditionalist gun/blacksmith. www.toadhallrifleshop.com now retired.] Because of you, I'll probably have to spend some hard earned money and invest in a couple of khukuri. Don't think my two Sons are going to bring that old Tide soap box with the other 11 khuks in it back to the house very willingly.[/SIZE][/SIZE]
 
Awww man! I think you just got even with me! Ill be up till seven in the morning soaking up you rifling process etc. Cool rig! That must have been a feat itself! and ingenious little spring tempering setup. Guess as long as it is in the oil it cant get any hotter than the boiling temp of the oil! Great tempering idea. Im wanting to set up a blacksmith shop myself. Wont be any autohammers yet but crude stuff to forge carbon steel. That old anvil I got from my dad. He had it in early sixties i know and may have had it for many years before that. Its an old Acme from sears catalog. Actually made by Trenton i believe.
Your in the right place actually for off HI topic stuff. No problem! Your going to have to work on that Tide soap box with your sons! Sounds like you may have some treasures in there! Man thats cool!
 
Yeah I hear ya Pugs! I was two cents from buying another one last night! Bookie almost made me do it:thumbup: AC has the Bhojpures with the sheath chak and Karda. I called at one time and they dont have sheaths for the Longleaf anymore. Still havent found one of them. I keep buying HI stuff instead! Funny how that happens:D
pugs75 said:
Man I should pick one of those up while I can, but alas I always spend on other stuff.
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