Info on Old Military kukri

spiral · 14th December 2005, 11:08 PM

I tottally agree Rod,

But They did exist in 1915 & probably back to 1910. So thats what I state as definate fact. {Which people seem to want.}

But sure most are post 1920, Thats the opinion most of us have come to accept I think?

I think I may have even said the same to Mark & Andreas before?

I always wonder if the artilary shell cases from WW1 prompted the growth in the post war use of the brass bolster?

Spiral

Battara · 15th December 2005, 06:33 AM

Spiral that was helpful. I thought they stopped making steel bolsters by the turn of the century.

Oh well..

spiral · 15th December 2005, 06:04 PM

Thankyou! I am glad it was of use to you Battara.

All those fake military issue brass bolster kukri on ebay dated 1917 dont help either!

Heres a complete pair of rather nice officer quality crescent marked kukri with all brass fittings from my collection.

I would think probably early or mid 1920s.

But Definatly post 1910.

& pre WW2.

For some reason pairs of kukri high quality kukri seem rather uncommon.

Spiral

Rick · 15th December 2005, 06:17 PM

I've got one of those .

Exactly the same except the horn handle is lighter brown and has white dots inlaid .

Emanuel · 15th December 2005, 06:21 PM

Hello, can the chirra on the blade serve as an indication of date or the user it was made for? I've noticed that many "Made in India" khukuri on ebay lack these depressions while traditional examples seem to have one or even three to lighten the blade. I imagine forging chirra into the blade would also take longer time...Would it perhaps be the difference between a user and a collector/presentation piece?
Manolo

spiral · 15th December 2005, 06:39 PM

Any photos Rick? Always nice to see another kukri!
Brass, steel or silver fittings?

Manolo, They dont realy help with dating, They can still do the broad fullers today.

Sometimes they forge them sometimes they grind them, often both.

This one is Dia Chirra.

It shows the kukri cost more to make, & was more likley to be an officers or senior NCOs piece. {Or Diplomat, or owner of Tea plantation etc.} or as you say a gift or perhaps presentation piece.

They were definatly carried into combat though. Thats well recorded.

I have seen pictures of inlisted men in Burma in ww2 carrying Dia chirras. {not quite such dressy versians though.}

Officers always bought there own kukri {certaly untill at least ww2.}, so often carried quite fancy ones, if that was to there taste.

Spiral

Rick · 15th December 2005, 06:56 PM

Hmmm , I thought I'd already posted a picture but a search fails to reveal it , so here :

I'd love to get a pair of knives and pouch for it and to have the scabbard re-covered (cut along the edge) .

spiral · 15th December 2005, 08:24 PM

Nice one Rick, Thanks!

These ones with inlay are rather attractive I think, is it possible to tell what the inlay is, or are the fragments to small for positive id?

It reminds me of one I saw about 4 years ago, that had been bought out of Singapore in the 1930s. It could even be the same one? Last time I saw it was on ebay heading to a well known American collector.

Most serious kukri collectors try & pick up one of these models. I was lucky to find this pair together & both obviosly made by the same hand.

You do get various qualitys of them, ranging from good to exceptional, I would say. As with most hand made kukri. Some dont like the brass so much,because of the dating but the other versians of them were still bieng made into the 1920s as well. So it makes no odds I think. Silver is always nice of course!

But A good kukri is a good kukri, afterall.

Although I Must admit I dont bother with many post 1950 ones.
Do you collect kukri? or is it just a "stray" you came across?

Spiral

15th December 2005, 06:17 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,365	Hey ! I've got one of those . Exactly the same except the horn handle is lighter brown and has white dots inlaid .

15th December 2005, 06:56 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,365	Hmmm , I thought I'd already posted a picture but a search fails to reveal it , so here : I'd love to get a pair of knives and pouch for it and to have the scabbard re-covered (cut along the edge) . Attached Images

14th December 2005, 11:08 PM	#1
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	I tottally agree Rod, But They did exist in 1915 & probably back to 1910. So thats what I state as definate fact. {Which people seem to want.} But sure most are post 1920, Thats the opinion most of us have come to accept I think? I think I may have even said the same to Mark & Andreas before? I always wonder if the artilary shell cases from WW1 prompted the growth in the post war use of the brass bolster? Spiral

15th December 2005, 06:33 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,325	Spiral that was helpful. I thought they stopped making steel bolsters by the turn of the century. Oh well..

15th December 2005, 06:04 PM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Thankyou! I am glad it was of use to you Battara. All those fake military issue brass bolster kukri on ebay dated 1917 dont help either! Heres a complete pair of rather nice officer quality crescent marked kukri with all brass fittings from my collection. I would think probably early or mid 1920s. But Definatly post 1910. & pre WW2. For some reason pairs of kukri high quality kukri seem rather uncommon. Spiral

15th December 2005, 06:21 PM	#5
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hello, can the chirra on the blade serve as an indication of date or the user it was made for? I've noticed that many "Made in India" khukuri on ebay lack these depressions while traditional examples seem to have one or even three to lighten the blade. I imagine forging chirra into the blade would also take longer time...Would it perhaps be the difference between a user and a collector/presentation piece? Manolo

15th December 2005, 06:39 PM	#6
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Any photos Rick? Always nice to see another kukri! Brass, steel or silver fittings? Manolo, They dont realy help with dating, They can still do the broad fullers today. Sometimes they forge them sometimes they grind them, often both. This one is Dia Chirra. It shows the kukri cost more to make, & was more likley to be an officers or senior NCOs piece. {Or Diplomat, or owner of Tea plantation etc.} or as you say a gift or perhaps presentation piece. They were definatly carried into combat though. Thats well recorded. I have seen pictures of inlisted men in Burma in ww2 carrying Dia chirras. {not quite such dressy versians though.} Officers always bought there own kukri {certaly untill at least ww2.}, so often carried quite fancy ones, if that was to there taste. Spiral

15th December 2005, 08:24 PM	#8
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Nice one Rick, Thanks! These ones with inlay are rather attractive I think, is it possible to tell what the inlay is, or are the fragments to small for positive id? It reminds me of one I saw about 4 years ago, that had been bought out of Singapore in the 1930s. It could even be the same one? Last time I saw it was on ebay heading to a well known American collector. Most serious kukri collectors try & pick up one of these models. I was lucky to find this pair together & both obviosly made by the same hand. You do get various qualitys of them, ranging from good to exceptional, I would say. As with most hand made kukri. Some dont like the brass so much,because of the dating but the other versians of them were still bieng made into the 1920s as well. So it makes no odds I think. Silver is always nice of course! But A good kukri is a good kukri, afterall. Although I Must admit I dont bother with many post 1950 ones. Do you collect kukri? or is it just a "stray" you came across? Spiral