Kinda OT: Indian Army Khuk?

PZ93C

PZ93C

Joined
May 12, 2003
Messages
413
Found a khuk in a shop. About 12 inches, didn't measure, just eyeballed it. Blade was marked INDIA at the base with the broad arrow proof above it. In a sheath with what looked like 2 kardas. The spine was only about 1/4 inch thick. Of course 1/4 inch thick was great before my HI. I didn't look too hard, but my mind keeps going back to it to display with my 1968 Ishapore Enfield 2A1. Anything I can look for to see if authentic or a knock off? Thanks

Brian
 
If all it has in the way of Markings is a (broad arrow)/"india" then it is most likely a modern reproduction intended for export. The broad arrow was never applied alone.

It is anachronistic to find a broad arrow on an India made knife. Why would a British proof mark be required on goods produced by an independent India? However, wild things have happened to khukuries and there have been some examples of older military knives, overstamp with the word "India" to facilitate exportation. A picture would help, but I would lean heavily towards reproduction.

n2s
 
I have an El-cheapo khuk that someone lent to me. It is a decorator model, with the thin wooden handle and brass cast lions head pommel. stamped in the same fashion as the one you saw.

They're total crap. Some kinda mild steel, plated with chrome. the one I have here even has an attempt at a shallow and undefined dui chirra pattern of fullers. This is the standard import khuk that you can get from Atlanta Cutlery or MRL.

Keith
 
is my Enfield has the same Broad Arrow proof on the buttstock. It's a 1968. When did independance come to India? Thanks for the replies so far and I'll keep digging. BTW.... No chrome on the blade and no lions head, I don't think.

Brian

Doesn't India still have a company of Gurka troops? if so What are they issued?
 
Indian independence came on August 14, 1947, near as I can tell.
 
Just a broad arrow and the word India do not make for an authentic kukri.

In 1947 the Gurkha Regiments were "given" the chance to choose to stay with the 6 Regiments that were to stay in India, or follow the rest to Hong Kong and various other garrisons.

Indian Gurkha Regiments:
1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th.

This doesn't take into account mixed specialty mountain battalions or police battalions. It gets pretty confusing and was a difficult choice for many who were told where they were going.
 
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