Hi Tal, JP,
In my my thread "laminated sirupate" ddean came up with an interesting chemical for hardening rust{taking it to stage 2}I havent tried it yet but will experiment on a junker soon.
I have found, slinters or chisels of ivory or antler are good for picking out the rust in pits.{they are harder than rust but softer than steel.
My example of the maharajah is a "poor boy" example thats without scabbard & has some pitting.
Still an interesting & real piece of history though. I wonder who carried it & wear, & how did it lose its scabbard? Was it a souveneer battlefield pickup, found in the mud without its scabbard or not etc.etc.
But of course from a purly financial veiwpoint ,it would not fetch as much at Sothebys or some such.But thats not solley what collecting historical items is all about for me. {I do like valuble ones as well though!}
JP I am sure I have informed you of most of the errors I spotted in FAQs last year, But heres a list, hope it helps, & of course apologies to Ben & Howard ,I didnt realise all the information was from you.
Please excuse my spelling, puntuation & grammer!
This will take me some time but here goes.
Kukri FAQ military.
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/faq/MilitaryStyles.htm
1,
faq.QUOTE.
"This is the style currently used by Gorkha forces. The standard specifications are 15" long with a mass of about 600 g. A similar knife is issued in the Nepalese Army. The Nepalese Army knife is somewhat smaller, at about 13" and 500 g. HW
"There is a standard issue knife for both the Gurkha (sic) Regiments in both the British and Indian Armies." (This is like HIs BAS without the scroll work on the buttcap.)
ME.
I think you already know that the Indian army currently carry the M3 evolution of the K45 , not the BAS.
Funnily enough I think you mentioned it the other day as comming from Atlanta cutlery... ...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296362
7th post down.
JP QUOTE."Windlass Steel was started in India during WW II to supply K45 kukris and the model they offer today is the same one issued for field use to the Indian Army. I have no idea what the other models are supposed to be for or can find any historical design they are based on."
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2,FAQ quote"The K45 was designed and made in Rawalpindi in the later part of 1945 by some of the "boys" from the Ordnance
Bureau and was so cost/time effective that all involved got the civilain award
correspondent. Quite a big deal apparently. This kukri was so good it's the one that
everyone copied and is still being made by kamis, blacksmiths, matalsmith, etc.
everywhere and more annoyingly, by Atlanta Cutlery."
Me.
I remember when I got one of the first batches of Atlanta oldies, I sent you pictures of an identical K44 sa & broad arrow marked kukri. & have since aquired an identicle K44 kukri of cmw production that is identicle to my cmw K45. Which some what prooves IMHO that the K45 was not designed in late 1945, as the identical spec. kuk was already bieng made in Calcutta in 1944.
Strange comment of yours about the Atlanta copy as well. Is it a copy or the real deal?
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3.FAQ quote. The workhorse of the Gurkas during WWII, this model saw service in both Europe and Pacific theaters. This is probably the best combination of weapon and tool that can be had.
This knife is also known as a Dheradoon, as many knives of this style were manufactured there for the Indian Army during WWII.
The WWII will usually measure 17" - 18" and have a mass of about 700 g.
Me.
My only quandry here is that the pic is of 2 kukris that are not real ww2 kukris, but the HI copy, replicas or whatever, with fancy buttplates, cho creep etc.
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4faq quote
The M43 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.
& W. 1 3/4+ lbs"
Me.
I have handled enough mk2 & m43s to know that I have had a WW1 mk2 with a wider pommel than any of my m43s.
Generaly I would say on the 10 or so m43s I have handled the balance point has fluctuated.
Personaly I havent found a 1 3/4 pound m43 yet. I have seen a lot just under 1 1/2 pounds in weight.
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5,faq quote.
Here are some examples from just post WW II, made for an officer or senior NCO in the Gurkha regiments that stayed in India after independence. It may have been made by a contractor who had supplied issue kukris.
Me.
I have one which was back in England by spring 1946, Indian independance was 1947 .I bought it of an RAF bomb disposal corparels son. You told me it couldnt be of that date so I rang the mans widow who confirmed that it was one of the trophys her husband brought back & that he sailed from India in late 1945.
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6. me,
I have seen a photo taken in France in 1915 of an unblued Jodhapir kuk & another of the said kuk in a normal type scabbard, so I wonder if the flimsy loop scabbards are for cerimonial use.
The photos are in 2 different books belonging to a freind, I will try & get copies of the books for your info.
7.
I think I also pointed out I seem to remember that , A Burma veteran says the Pioneer was a copy of the Chin knife. & sent you a photo of the chin badge showing a very similar blade.
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8,faq quote
2. WW I scabbards aren't found with frogs in many cases because they were made of web material and were required to be turned in upon leaving the army as part of all the whole 'kit'.
Me.
I have an issue ww1 mk2 with original leather frog & have seen several others.
9.faq quote
.4. If the scabbard is covered with canvas or webbing it was probably a WW II
piece used in the CBI Theater. The European Theater saw 'naked' scabbards. WW I
scabbards rarely had complete coverings.
Me.
I have seen photos of cloth covered scabbards in Europe, during ww2.
Unfortuantly the photos are not in my currant posetion.
Hope this is helpfull JP, I do understand that the on going study of any subject is important, If I look at encylopaedias from the 1950s & 1960s, with todays knowledge they are quite amusing.
Nothing is ever perfect whatever you write, I am sure some futre fact will show up & teach us all something new. Thats what knowledge is like. & thats OK. IMHO
My intial 50% of kukri knowledge came from my discusians with you & without that sound grounding, my thirst for kukri & kukri knowledge may not have continued in the way it has.
I will be one of the first to buy your book. I look forward to it greatly.
Best of luck,
Cheers,
Spiral
Edited to hopefully improve clarity.
