Ripper & Co: Gurkha uniform

[Johan van Zyl]

Hey Greg (and others on the finest forum!) you asked me about the Gurkha officer's uniform (c. 1915) I'm trying to get together. A friend let me have a Sam Browne and a khaki peak cap, and also offered to lend me his uniform jacket and leggings so that I can have them copied. What I want to do now with this thread, is to access the goodwill of the forumites for advice on how to get hold of goodies like a REPLICA GURKHA CAP BADGE which I need for the uniform. Could someone possibly give me the address of some reputable dealer whom I can contact and who might be willing to sell me this stuff (and be willing to send it over the great water)? I doubt very strongly that I'd be able to get this stuff in South Africa. Hope to hear from you soon.

BTW, this is Saturday, and I'm "at the office" at the time of a Farming Museum Day, during which I give frequent demonstrations on the loading and firing of a kentucky rifle. Other demonstrations (for which I am not responsible) are vintage cars, bull mastiff dogs, phantasy knives, old tractors and impliments, etc. This afternoon I and my re-enactment group will show the visitors a simulated battle between British and Boer troops, as in the Boer War of 1899-1902. I'm afraid I'll be a Brit who's going to bite the dust... Stay well.

 

[Ripper]

HI Johan,

I've always liked "living " history, sounds like your "Farming Museum Day" is a good time for one and all.

There are some sellers on eBay who offer Gurkha uniform devices.
Try a search of "Gurkha" maybe they will have what you need or will be kind enough to steer you in the right direction.

Stay well yourself and good hunting,
Greg

 

[John Powell]

Johan,
Which regiment are you going to represent? There are a lot of replica badges available and some just need minor modification to be correct.

I would suggest the 8th Gurkha Rifles badge. It is large and if you cut the 8 out it will suffice as a hat badge for some of the other regiments also.

Your choice of a cap doesn't sound correct. You would be better off with a 'kilmarnock' or 'pillbox'. They were worn with the leather strap under the lower lip and at a jaunty angle. You will also need puttees, but you could just as easily use a long strip of beige or khaki cloth 1.5" wide.

What type rifle do you intend to use? And don't forget the bayonet with frog was prominent and attached at the waist opposite the kukri.

Do you have the Osprey book which cover many of the uniforms beautifully? If you email me directly I can send some good pictures from that period.

Sounds very cool. Good luck.

 

[Ferrous Wheel]

resident experts. Osprey books are some of my faves. I used them to get all kinds of ideas on period dress and equip.

Keith

 

[Johan van Zyl]

RIPPER, yep, I did what you suggested and contacted a British firm selling badges, but until they reply I would not know what is the detail of the offering.

FERROUS, hi! I don't have the Osprey book.

J.P., I'm actually afraid to answer you, because my ignorance and lack of experience in these matters will probably shine through like a magnesium flare... Information so far gleaned from various sources seem to indicate that British officers in the Gurkha brigades c. 1915 wore a peaked cap, khaki light field dress jacket, puttees of the wraparound type, Sam Browne with revolver in holster, hopefully a khukuri ('cause otherwise I'll not have my prime exhibit - my Mk I - on my belt!) I've got a pillbox hat, but it looks like it was made for my five year old grandson. In one picture that I saw the officer had what looked like a cane - probably his own version of a swagger stick. I think my sights are not so high under my circumstances that I am puristic about this. That's why a replica cap badge will suffice. I want to at least look like a Gurkha officer AND display my Mk I. During target shoots, it'll be with my Martini-Henry, but on shoot days my rifle can be a few wars separated from my uniform. For extra show I can use my Mk III SMLE and its long bayonet opposite the Mk I khukuri. I'll sing out the Gurkha battle cry every now and then.

If I have to choose a regiment, yes, I'll settle for the 8th Gurkha Rifles. I like the idea of the big cap badge. I'll e-mail you now, J.P., and thanks.