Khukuri

D

DoctorFast

Joined
Jul 2, 2003
Messages
3
I recently came in to possession of an old traditional looking Khukuri, and was wondering if anyone could be of any assistance in identifying whether it is authentic, and if there some advice on restoring the blade, which appears as some stage of it's life to have been plated. Also, a friend who as some knowledge of these blades histories, was speculative as to whether the carvings on the handle and the dots etchings on the blade pointed it towards having a long family history. I have some good digital photos i have taken of the blade and hilt, casing and two accessory blades, and would love it if anyone would have a look at them. I am not actually interested in what value the knive and accessories have, but more in the history of the blade. I was in particular wondering if anyone had any knowledge on these blades and their use in war aligned with British personel, as it appears to have a crossed blade emblem in brass on the sheath.
yours sincerely,

Daniel
Australia
redandwhitedoc.jpg
 
Originally posted by DoctorFast
which appears as some stage of it's life to have been plated.
Also, a friend who as some knowledge of these blades histories, was speculative as to whether the carvings on the handle and the dots etchings on the blade pointed it towards having a long family history.

Daniel
Australia
Click to expand...

Without a pic and the current highlighted info I'm gonna bet it's one of those tourist models.:(

Does it have a Lion's head on the buttcap?

By the way. Welcome to the Psycho Ward or Cantina, whichever you prefer. You either have to be a deviant or crazy to join in here so it doesn't matter which you choose.:D ;)
 
Originally posted by Yvsa
By the way. Welcome to the Psycho Ward or Cantina, whichever you prefer. You either have to be a deviant or crazy to join in here so it doesn't matter which you choose.:D ;)
Click to expand...

But don't worry - you can join now and decide between the deviant or crazy part later.
 
1.appears as some stage of it's life to have been plated
Click to expand...
2.carvings on the handle and the dots etchings on the blade pointed it towards having a long family history
Click to expand...
3.it appears to have a crossed blade emblem in brass on the sheath.
Click to expand...

I would really need to see a picture to tell you what this is. Would the "carving on the handle" be a lion's head? Does the word "INDIA" appear within the dot markings on the blade? My first impression is the same as YVSA; it sounds like a tourist piece.

If you would like to send me some photo I can post them for you. My email is:
que68@bellsouth.net

n2s
 
Here are DoctorFast's pics.

I'm no expert, but there are plenty here. Looks like a tourist khuk, but a really nice one. I've never seen a handle done like that before. You've got a nice display piece. It's a good way to start your collection. It's not meant for cutting, and has no connection with any gurkha units. If I'm wrong, and that is frequent, :rolleyes: I'm sure you'll get better info. Welcome to the Cantina!
Steve
attachment.php
 
Here are a some photos of lion pommeled khukuries

575025Lionheadpommelkhukuri.jpg

(example 1)
This is a typical tourist piece. The blade is not chrome plated but the quality is relatively low. It probably dates to the 1950-70s.

575026LionHiltedsilvermountedkhukuri.jpg


(example 2)
This one is of very good quality and probably dates to the early 20th century. The blade is a well done functional dui-chirra pattern found on many good 20th presentation pieces. It has a lion Pommel hand cast in silver, with a horn handle and a silver escutcheon. Bolsters appear to be silver, and the sheath is well made and intended for field use.

575067LionPommelsmalltouristkhukuri.jpg


(example 3)

This is a small lion pommel tourist piece from the 1950-70s. The chrome plated blade was actually warped when the twin fullers were applied. The blade is dot marked "India R3001/2".

Daniel's knife appears to be a tourist piece. There are some oddly mounted khukuries that turn up from time to time. So your best guide would be to focus on the blade quality. A good blade will be well tempered with a good functional edge. If you don't have that then the knife was made for display.

n2s
 
Originally posted by not2sharp
(example 2)...... It has a lion Pommel hand cast in silver, with
Click to expand...
It might make sense that the "lion-head" style/pattern for tourists would have a real predecessor.

A heavy silver 'pommel' might have been one maker's effort to 'balance' the khuk.
And that much metal in one place would beg for decoration/sculpting.

Any idea when that pattern appeared as a tourist piece?
 
Originally posted by ferguson
Doctor fast sent this pic of the sheath.
Click to expand...
Could this have been some sort of presentation piece?
Maybe some 'other' special occasion?
Sure would be nice to have some background/history.

The handle decoration makes me think India.
What think ya'll?

As an addition to a collection / display item,
I like it. Assuming it looks as nice on close exam.

Is/Was the blade sharpened?
Is the 'lion-head' solid or a shell?
& is it obviously nailed on,
or is the attachment hidden/smooth/integrated?
Is the handle decoration paint, enamel (glass melted onto base), inlay, glued on???
Handle decoration engraved/incised/scraped on?
 
Is that what is known as koftgari work on the handle? John Powell or the guy who took over Shaw Jahans ( sorry, your name just flew out of my head and thru the window )please comment. Seems too well done to be a tourist khuk.
 
I had told Daniel earlier that there was some slight possibility that this was a presentation piece, but the lions head and the plating make it more of a very high-end wall hanger. The handle decoration is in an Indian pattern. The art of hammering gold, silver or brass into an engraving varys with the area, but is common over the Asian continent. In the Arab countries, it is Koftgari, and Bidriwork or Bidriware in India. Damascening is another over-all term used in the west.
 
In the Arab countries, it is Koftgari, and Bidriwork or Bidriware in India. Damascening is another over-all term used in the west.

Perhaps it is just paint? We don't have a good closeup of the surface so it is hard to tell.

n2s
 
Here is a closeup of the handle. Notice that there appear to be small gaps in the design, and that there appears to be nothing under the gap except for a smooth metal surface. Most likely this is paint.
attachment.php

n2s
 
Paint, or a fired enamel. Enameled damascening is a variant of this type of decoration, and very popular on brass artwork.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top