Afghan kukri with Armory marks? With pix.

Tim Simmons · 15th June 2006, 10:08 PM

Spiral.

Why do you say castings are not used in India or Nepal? Clearly there has been little shaping/filing to the Afghan example, all credit to the foundry, but the brass bolster on other examples appear cast and droped down the tang then briazed and filed to shape to accomadate the handle.

Rick · 15th June 2006, 10:40 PM

Spiral,
Interesting how the marks had changed over just a few years . I wonder if these kukris were private purchase (no broad arrow mark) or a comission from the Brits who were firmly ensconced (sp?) in Afghanistan during this time . They had a long standing treaty with Abdur Rahman with the aim of keeping the Russians away from the approaches to India .

Possibly you might want to check this piece for signs of pattern welding .

Now that I have gotten my sabre out I have discovered yet another stamping on the opposite side of the quillon !
This will be the subject for another thread if I can pull a decent picture of it .
So, many thanks to *you* Spiral !

spiral · 16th June 2006, 12:36 AM

Tim, traditional Nepali & Indian bolsters are made from folded thin sheet, bent round the rebate in the handle & brazed.Not cast. appearances can be decieving! some later issue Indian made military ones are blocks of steel welded on then ground.

Rick to naked eye I cant see signs of pattern welding & dont think I will etch this one to truly find out yet. Have any other swords from this armoury shown pattern welding?

lots of issue kukri didnt have the broad arrow mark, but I think this kukri if for British army Gurkhas would be for officers only, {as you say private purchase.} as it is pure weapon not a tool. Inlisted mens were both utility & weapons capable.

{officers didnt cut firewood etc.}

My knowledge of Afghaistan at this point is weak but I think the British had left by then? & Abdur Rahman was ruling? {obviosly we were still playing on Indian N.W.F.} but I may be mistaken.

I am wondering if he imployed any Gurkha mercenaries or bodygaurds perhaps ? or were allocated Any by the Brits.?

As it appers these kukri carry the same arsenal marks as offcial Afghan goverment swords? presuably this was an official goverment arsenal?

Also 2 of the 4 examples are known to have been picked up in Afghanistan, which seems a high percentage? {to date anyway!}

I would be interested in yours veiws & any info or points anyone might have.

Spiral

Ps. I just have to find a sword or two with those marks now!

Rick · 16th June 2006, 02:33 AM

Hi Spiral , if I recall correctly Mazar I Sharif was a Afghan Royal Armory .

I'm also fairly sure from what I have read that there was a strong treaty in force with Abdur Rahman and a settled border with Russia about that time .

It would make sense that in such a delicate area the British would have wanted at least a minimal representative force on the ground to insure the peace and guard against Russian intrigue ; thus Gurkha troops may well have been present .

An interesting read on this time, area and the politics is *The Great Game* by Peter Hopkirk .

The Afghan sabre that I have is seldom seen for sale although with the presence of Western troops there this may change . I believe in my years of collecting I have only seen 8 or 10 examples of this style sabre . I have seen the hilts and variations thereof mounted to Khyber blades ; doubtful that these Khyber blades were from the royal armory though .

16th June 2006, 12:36 AM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Tim, traditional Nepali & Indian bolsters are made from folded thin sheet, bent round the rebate in the handle & brazed.Not cast. appearances can be decieving! some later issue Indian made military ones are blocks of steel welded on then ground. Rick to naked eye I cant see signs of pattern welding & dont think I will etch this one to truly find out yet. Have any other swords from this armoury shown pattern welding? lots of issue kukri didnt have the broad arrow mark, but I think this kukri if for British army Gurkhas would be for officers only, {as you say private purchase.} as it is pure weapon not a tool. Inlisted mens were both utility & weapons capable. {officers didnt cut firewood etc.} My knowledge of Afghaistan at this point is weak but I think the British had left by then? & Abdur Rahman was ruling? {obviosly we were still playing on Indian N.W.F.} but I may be mistaken. I am wondering if he imployed any Gurkha mercenaries or bodygaurds perhaps ? or were allocated Any by the Brits.? As it appers these kukri carry the same arsenal marks as offcial Afghan goverment swords? presuably this was an official goverment arsenal? Also 2 of the 4 examples are known to have been picked up in Afghanistan, which seems a high percentage? {to date anyway!} I would be interested in yours veiws & any info or points anyone might have. Spiral Ps. I just have to find a sword or two with those marks now! Last edited by spiral; 16th June 2006 at 01:22 AM.

15th June 2006, 10:08 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Spiral. Why do you say castings are not used in India or Nepal? Clearly there has been little shaping/filing to the Afghan example, all credit to the foundry, but the brass bolster on other examples appear cast and droped down the tang then briazed and filed to shape to accomadate the handle.

15th June 2006, 10:40 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Spiral, Interesting how the marks had changed over just a few years . I wonder if these kukris were private purchase (no broad arrow mark) or a comission from the Brits who were firmly ensconced (sp?) in Afghanistan during this time . They had a long standing treaty with Abdur Rahman with the aim of keeping the Russians away from the approaches to India . Possibly you might want to check this piece for signs of pattern welding . Now that I have gotten my sabre out I have discovered yet another stamping on the opposite side of the quillon ! This will be the subject for another thread if I can pull a decent picture of it . So, many thanks to you Spiral !

16th June 2006, 02:33 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Hi Spiral , if I recall correctly Mazar I Sharif was a Afghan Royal Armory . I'm also fairly sure from what I have read that there was a strong treaty in force with Abdur Rahman and a settled border with Russia about that time . It would make sense that in such a delicate area the British would have wanted at least a minimal representative force on the ground to insure the peace and guard against Russian intrigue ; thus Gurkha troops may well have been present . An interesting read on this time, area and the politics is The Great Game by Peter Hopkirk . The Afghan sabre that I have is seldom seen for sale although with the presence of Western troops there this may change . I believe in my years of collecting I have only seen 8 or 10 examples of this style sabre . I have seen the hilts and variations thereof mounted to Khyber blades ; doubtful that these Khyber blades were from the royal armory though .