M-43 origin

H

hunglvq

Joined
Jun 8, 2008
Messages
232
Hi Mates,

I've known the M-43 for a while but dont know if it was designed by HI or it's a popular military design like WW2, BAS,...

Kindly help me with the info

Hung
 
Here you go, hung:

Based on the WWII khukuri, the M43, which was designed as an update of the Mk II which was basically a WW I
design. The new knife had a stronger grip attachment system, a wider pommel
and better bolster design at the blade. The balance is slightly more forward
and the blade could arguably considered stronger.

http://www.himalayan-imports.com/new.html
 
Here are some of the things I've read about the M43. No it isn't an HI design but, HI does produce an M43.

Lots of discussion about the M43 and no one knows for sure exactly what it is, except to say that it was a military issued kukri in the 1940's. Some say that the M43 was just one of the makers marks on the old WWI / WWII kukri called the MKII. Others say it was a design update of the MKII.

No matter, it was produced as a military kukri in the 40's and it "basically" has the same size, weight, full tang, wood handle, curved spine and dimensions of the MKII. [18" overall, 13" blade, 5" handle and a weight of 650-800 grams, some heavier] There are thin groves in the handle that designate it as an M43 (I think two sets of three grooves) and the central ridge in the handle, found on most MKII's is gone (at least on most of them). If you look on the IKRHS forum and search for M43 they have pics of the handles and very detailed discussions.

Some things you can say for sure. Its NOT a MK-I and its NOT a MK-III. Whats left? If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck.... Its probably just a varient of the MKII. (Lots of hard working dedicated people have spent huge amounts of time researching this stuff. I have done none, except to read their work. So I am just repeating things I have learned, I'm not the rocket scientist)

If Spiral is on this forum maybe he could jump in?

Bill
Virginia
oops, Karda beat me to it.
 
I would have to say the m.43 is a makers mark or code as Ive had a typical mk.2 genuinly marked m.43 that still had the raised handle ring & flatter buttcap typicle of earlier mk.2s although with the recessed rivets, well known on the m43 examples of the mk.2. Which points to a manufacturers mark rather than a different model.

spiral
 
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