Wayward WWII Era M43

Great find DB. And it appears it was in incredible shape even before you started work on it. And the after pictures it looks great. That last little bit of blemishing just gives it a touch of character. The work on the sheath might be the most effort needed on this set. Can't wait to see how that cleans up. Please show pics once you get the leather conditioner and finish up with it. Looking forward to seeing the final results.
 
J W Bensinger said:
Very nice! I had a Pioneer Calcutta but it was kinda junky-It was the one I cloned and sold. That is pretty slick.
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The Pioneers are rough, but they represent the war time crunch production pretty well. They have character. I have an "MI II" marked Mk. II which is much nicer in every way. But still, those Pioneers, with there 1943 dates probably saw some rough use in Burma.

These private purchase/bazaar types, like DB has here, seem very nicely done. I have a PP Mk. II and a Mk. III. Both marked something like "Best Steel India' or something. The quality is superb. It's easy to see why they were so popular with servicemen.

This one belonged to American Lt.C. Elgin Rittenberry, a HUMP pilot.
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This is a nice PP Mk. III with Ivory inserts. Kind of Pimpin':) It handles like a dream!
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I love the traditional shaped blades. The large belly is attractive and it always draws me in. Thanks for the pictures... I have to get one now.
 
Nice find!

These bazar bought MKII's and MKIII's are often excellent kukri and still make great users. I haven't picked up one of the MKII types (though I do have a stamped M43) but the MKIII I got was significantly better than my army issued MKIII for the same period.

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A sweet kukri indeed, sad to have passed it on really but they still come up fairly regularly.

Great examples jdk1!
 
Is there any other place of sourcing them at a pretty "predictable" quality rather than Atlanta Cutlery, sight-unseen, and hoping for the best? I'd love to own one, one day.
 
IMA has them but it's pretty much the same program. Hope for the best.
 
Speaking of which, stupid question, but wasn't able to tell what "IMA" stands for; any tips?
 
I'm the king of not understanding initials and abbreviations. I couldn't remember what it stood for either and I thunk it up.

Again, it's the same stuff from the same pile, just a different outfit.

I've often dreamed about being one of the ones that got to sort throught that pile. Rifles and khuks stacked like cord wood.

What a blast that had to be and probably still is in these two outfits warehouses.
 
It's always been a dream of mine to get to pick through one of these warehouses, or one of the ones where they keep lot's of goodie goodie Mosin Nagant's. Imagine just being able to peel open crate after crate of those suckers?
 
Atlanta Cutlery is a part of IMA or vice versa. They bought the entire Kathmandu stash. For better or worse, but at least they are no longer rotting away. And we're keeping the story alive.
 
That makes perfect sense, I wondered how two separate outfits would divy up the loot. One and the same, much easier.

The prices are generally within a few bucks of each other, what's available is sometimes different.

I was fixing to order one from either when Ndog sent me one. He had two that were virtual twins. Sweet thing and in good shape too. No sheath but those are like chicken lips to find now in any kind of condition and a new replica just don't seem right. I'd go wildman or pugs if I felt the need for a sheath for it.

Got a really sweet British WWII from Gehazi with a sheath in excellent condition, I don't know if he got it there or where it came from but it's in really good shape.
 
Bawanna said:
.... I was fixing to order one from either when Ndog sent me one. He had two that were virtual twins. Sweet thing and in good shape too. No sheath but those are like chicken lips to find now in any kind of condition and a new replica just don't seem right. I'd go wildman or pugs if I felt the need for a sheath for it....
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Mine came with a traditional-type sheath in decent condition, not the original, but pretty old.

If I didn't have a sheath I'd forget the leather and make one from wood. With your woodworking skills I'm sure you could do a great wooden sheath, and even make it look vintage if you want. I suppose it doesn't matter if the blade is just going to hang on the wall, but it would make it easier if you ever want to take it somewhere to show it to friends.
 
Both companies parent company is Windlass Steel in India. Bought their book Treasure Is Where You Find I and accompanying video. Definitely nice to have a sugar daddy with that kind of money as a backer. Book is so-so and video is definitely worth watching at least once. Piles of rifles 20 foot high and people walking on them! My, my, my....any way a feller can dream, can't he?
 
Yup, that's where I got it, you sent me a copy of that video, I need to watch it again. Chains of guys handing rifles out windows 3 and 4 stories up, hand to hand down to the ground and stacked in wooden crates.

Piles of Khukri's, all dark and dusty and neglected stacked up in hallways and rooms all over the place.

Great video.
 
Feel like we could do one of them animal abuse style commercials for these khuks and rifles, real tear jerker for sure.
 
Bookie said:
Both companies parent company is Windlass Steel in India. Bought their book Treasure Is Where You Find I and accompanying video. Definitely nice to have a sugar daddy with that kind of money as a backer. Book is so-so and video is definitely worth watching at least once. Piles of rifles 20 foot high and people walking on them! My, my, my....any way a feller can dream, can't he?
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All you got to do is order one and wait a few months and you will get mail and catalogs from anyone associated. I think they put you on a mailing list or something When you order and you'll get Windlass and all their friends. When you order use John Doe or Joe H. and you'll know everyone that has anything to do with them. Well unless your name really is john d or joe h:D
 
I used my real name bawanna. Thank goodness I didn't use my alias Joe H I reckon.

I do get emails with all kinds of wicked cool stuff I can't afford but it's fun to look at.
 
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