Kothimora Kukri

RAMBA · 4th October 2021, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

Definite mismatch. Kothimora would have had a scabbard made specifically fitted to a better blade. Pommel cap has a section missing. Sword of shiva is nicely done, tho. The 'eyebrow mark in front of it is possibly an armoury mark. Lack of broken spine is usually a sign of earlier mfg. but also found in more recently made ones. Looks like it has a partial tang held on by laha (himalayan epoxy') that is the norm. Probably will need a new grip in a few decades of hard use. The forward edge of the bolster being serrated is a bit odd.

Nice scabbard!

My Hanshee Kothimora khukuri for reference.

A very early archaic kukri from around the second half of the 18th Century. later scabbard.

kronckew · 4th October 2021, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAMBA

A very early archaic kukri from around the second half of the 18th Century. later scabbard.

I know.

The red tinfoil under the fretwork is also a later addition to the scabbard. The scabbard is still fitted to the blade. Scabbards come and go, it probably lived in a std. plain black one before being promoted, like my other salyani, without the belt frog bit tho, and would have been carried in a sash. This later one has a substantial full length tang peened over a keeper on the pommel.

kronckew · 4th October 2021, 04:36 PM

When the Alpacalypse comes. this is the one I'll hang on my baldric. I call her Godzilla.
I have others.

Tea · 4th October 2021, 10:28 PM

Thanks a lot everyone for your precious insights.

@ Ramba may I ask how you manage to date the scabbard I get that the shape of kukri's changed over time, yet it's still complex for me sometimes to Id the real deal from a well made reproduction (not those with lion heads)
I would be more than happy if you could suggest a few good books/articles

I read on the link below that the monster depicted on the scabbard is called cheppu/Kirtimukha is the decoration pattern one of the elements that helped to date my scabbard and the one from krockew?
https://kilatools.com/kukrihistory/

Also I don't know whether the use of velvet is common or not and whether it can help to specify a date?

@krockew I wouldn't mind if you'd added a few more pictures of your collection

I'm quite partial to the second one you posted.

Tea · 18th October 2021, 11:13 PM

Hi I just encountered a very similar kukri on a vendor's website: the kukri is almost identical:engravings, eyelash sun and moon symbol even the karda is similar,
the scabbard has the same red velvet but is in much better state and still has 3 tools: the usual plus a small toothpick, the scabbard is similarly oversized. but has a different decoration in bazaar style.

So I suppose they might be a match after all...

I would like to know if and how I may refer to the pictures? Like the saying goes "a picture is worth a ...

Ian · 22nd October 2021, 01:15 PM

Hi Tea,

Unfortunately, we do not permit linking to, discussing, or posting pictures of items that are currently for sale. I would suggest you download any pictures now as these can disappear quickly after a sale is completed. I understand that you would like to discuss this item now, but please wait until it is no longer for sale.

Ian.

Tea · 23rd October 2021, 12:33 AM

Hi Ian thank you for the reply I'll make sure to do that once the sale is completed.

In the meantime I found 2 sold Kukri's which also look similar.
(less so than the one I had in mind but clearly the point is the same:

Here is an analysis of the first one:
- the eyelash is identical
- the serated part of the bolster is also present
- the upper part of the decoration pattern is identical
- the same red velvet is used on the scabbard

(far to many similiratities in my opinion to be a coincidence)

here is the link to the website: https://www.rubylane.com/item/146467...w-234856211751

And attached you'll find the pictures which give the best representation of the similarities with my kukri:

Tea · 23rd October 2021, 12:43 AM

So now for the second similar kukri I found which is also sold

- the overall shape seems similar
- clearly in this example the bolster, cho, engravings, serated bolster are either different or absent in comparison to the kukri I posted
- The scabbard seems oversized
- the scabbard is almost identical to the previous one I posted

link: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...kha-1838564254

And the pictures:

Tea · 23rd October 2021, 01:08 AM

I don't know what we can learn based on the 2 new kukri I posted in my last messages.

I suppose we can determine it probably is not a mismatch after all.
It is however very strange that the scabbard is so much oversized: It's complicated to understand why they put so much effort into making a nice scabbard and so little effort into sizing the scabbard correctly.

Based on the new evidence are all the kukri I posted of the same period? Is the estimated period still second quarter of the 20th century?

Are the kukri genuine/ antique/ usable kukri's or does the fact that I found 4 similar examples mean they should be regarded as tourist kukri's?

4th October 2021, 04:36 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,152	When the Alpacalypse comes. this is the one I'll hang on my baldric. I call her Godzilla. I have others. Attached Images

22nd October 2021, 01:15 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,041	Discussion of an item presently for sale ... Hi Tea, Unfortunately, we do not permit linking to, discussing, or posting pictures of items that are currently for sale. I would suggest you download any pictures now as these can disappear quickly after a sale is completed. I understand that you would like to discuss this item now, but please wait until it is no longer for sale. Ian.

23rd October 2021, 12:33 AM	#7
Tea Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 15	Hi Ian thank you for the reply I'll make sure to do that once the sale is completed. In the meantime I found 2 sold Kukri's which also look similar. (less so than the one I had in mind but clearly the point is the same: Here is an analysis of the first one: - the eyelash is identical - the serated part of the bolster is also present - the upper part of the decoration pattern is identical - the same red velvet is used on the scabbard (far to many similiratities in my opinion to be a coincidence) here is the link to the website: https://www.rubylane.com/item/146467...w-234856211751 And attached you'll find the pictures which give the best representation of the similarities with my kukri: Attached Images

23rd October 2021, 12:43 AM	#8
Tea Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 15	So now for the second similar kukri I found which is also sold - the overall shape seems similar - clearly in this example the bolster, cho, engravings, serated bolster are either different or absent in comparison to the kukri I posted - The scabbard seems oversized - the scabbard is almost identical to the previous one I posted link: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...kha-1838564254 And the pictures: Attached Images

4th October 2021, 10:28 PM	#4
Tea Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 15	Thanks a lot everyone for your precious insights. @ Ramba may I ask how you manage to date the scabbard I get that the shape of kukri's changed over time, yet it's still complex for me sometimes to Id the real deal from a well made reproduction (not those with lion heads) I would be more than happy if you could suggest a few good books/articles I read on the link below that the monster depicted on the scabbard is called cheppu/Kirtimukha is the decoration pattern one of the elements that helped to date my scabbard and the one from krockew? https://kilatools.com/kukrihistory/ Also I don't know whether the use of velvet is common or not and whether it can help to specify a date? @krockew I wouldn't mind if you'd added a few more pictures of your collection I'm quite partial to the second one you posted.

18th October 2021, 11:13 PM	#5
Tea Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 15	Hi I just encountered a very similar kukri on a vendor's website: the kukri is almost identical:engravings, eyelash sun and moon symbol even the karda is similar, the scabbard has the same red velvet but is in much better state and still has 3 tools: the usual plus a small toothpick, the scabbard is similarly oversized. but has a different decoration in bazaar style. So I suppose they might be a match after all... I would like to know if and how I may refer to the pictures? Like the saying goes "a picture is worth a ...

23rd October 2021, 01:08 AM	#9
Tea Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 15	I don't know what we can learn based on the 2 new kukri I posted in my last messages. I suppose we can determine it probably is not a mismatch after all. It is however very strange that the scabbard is so much oversized: It's complicated to understand why they put so much effort into making a nice scabbard and so little effort into sizing the scabbard correctly. Based on the new evidence are all the kukri I posted of the same period? Is the estimated period still second quarter of the 20th century? Are the kukri genuine/ antique/ usable kukri's or does the fact that I found 4 similar examples mean they should be regarded as tourist kukri's?