M1937 Khukuri?

Joined
May 24, 2002
Messages
135
Hello everyone! I need some information and it seems like I've found the right place to get it:) I found that the Sultan Guards in Oman carry khukuris, a model called M1937. Could anyone please tell me more about it? I'm currently in posession of a 12 inch khukuri marked "37" and I'm quite curious if it's the model in question, or a pure coincidence. I'll appreciate any help from your part:)
 
Sharri,

Welcome to the forums. You have certainly found the right place. BTW, this place can be fun and habit forming; you may want to consider running away before you get severely hooked. :)

Most khukuries (even issued ones) are not marked, and there are plenty of khukuries circulating around with superflous markings. The best way for us to help you to identify your knife, would be for you to provide a picture. You can start by taking a look through the massive amount of information that we have posted in the Himilayan Imports FAQ.

n2s

Link to Khukuri FAQ
http://www.tx3.net/~howardw/Khukuris/KhukuriFAQ.htm
 
Thank you for the warm welcome, n2s! Before I posted this, I went through the FAQ pages and this messageboard, but with no results (except a feeling that this place rocks and so do people:). I'll take a picture of my khukuri and scan it, but where should I send it? Or perhaps somehow paste it to my post? Sorry if my questions seem lame, but I'm not very experienced with messageboards...
 
Sharri,
Email your pic to me and I'll post it for you (a perk that comes with the Gold Membership). Would also appreciate a citation & quote on the info re the Omani khukuris. Welcome aboard.
Berk
 
Received from Sharri:
The blade is 34 cm long, the
handle adds some extra 13 cm. The scabbard is black,
with no karda or chakma included. To add more info, I
bought it two weeks ago in a small shop in Budapest,
Hungary, paying about 20$.
 
A closeup. If memory serves correctly (which is frequently not the case) this is an example of what John Powell calls the Indian M45 khukuri. Since it does not appear to have either a broad arrow or the word "India", it does not appear to be one of the tourist market variety, though I admit these are not my field of expertise, whatever that might be.
 
Except for the markings on the blade, That looks just like the blade my son left for the old man to sharpen. No Bolster, Steel rivet thru washers and steel butt cap. There should be two pieces of the tang peened thru tha butt cap. If that blade is as hard as the one my son left here, it should be a fairly good blade. The wood on this one is oak, and it looks like the one in the picture is also.

Welcome to the cantina. Like Uncle Bill says a bunch of crazys that kind of understand each other.:D :D ;)
 
Sad to report that the knife pictured is a 'replica' using a basic K45 shape and marks from an original WW I Mk II. These frequently show up on eBay as "original WW I kukris" because of these marks (the 191 visible normally is 1917). The scabbard is usually of dyed reddish brown leather or black and has a slightly upturned chape. The karda and chakmak are of thin inferior steel. The frog has two belt loops and is laced. I have warned more than a few people about this knife before on this forum.

I have seen this listed before as the Sultan's Gurkhas Guards of Oman, but this is not the case at all. There is no model number for what the Gurkha Gurads carry, but the ones I saw were of the parade variety with highly polished black leather scabbards and black horn grips with silver furniture.
 
for such a quick expertise! However I'm not too happy with the result (although I supposed sth like this:)), I'm more than thankful for the support I received here and for your wilingness to help a newcomer. Since my collection of khukuris will grow up during next few years, I'll be visiting those pages as often as possible. I reserve some special thanks for Berkley for his help;) And best wishes for all of you!
 
Welcome to the Cantina, Sharri!

This is THE place to learn about khukuries. There are people here who know quite a bit about the subject (certainly NOT me!) and are more than willing to help. :D

Semp --
 
A pal of mine spent six weeks training the guards in the proper use of these khukuris. While he was there he enjoyed the status of the "Royal Trainer," which evidently carried with it some rather attractive perks.
 
The guy told me that he got anything he wanted -- whatever that might mean. He got the job because he really was an expert in khukuri use.
 
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