Mk2 WW1 Kukri just found - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

yorkstone · #1 13-09-20, 11:50 AM

Slightly off topic but thought that Gurkha collectors would find this interesting.

WW1 Mk 2 Kukri with Indian arsenal marks exact date difficult to see 191? Either 8 or 9.

I picked this up this week something I have been looking for for years and to find a WW1 example has made my day. I nearly mist it as I expected it to be unmarked just picked it up out of curiosity.

I must have handled hundreds over the years mostly tourist sold items I have other period items but this has issue marks. Made clearer with a slight application of WD 40

Whilst researching found web sight attached which shows the exact markings. I need to do some careful buffing with a piece of leather to see if I can bring up the final number clearly

https://kilatools.com/kukrihistory/j...ww1-kukri.html

Regards

Stephen

Sonofacqms · #2 13-09-20, 12:00 PM

Back in the sixties I bought a Kukri dated 1916 with a Wilkinson stamp on it for 10/- (50p) my friend who lived up the road nearly cut through an apple tree with one cut, his Father who was ex Indian Army and who had served with Ghurkas wanted it, so I let him have it for what I'd paid for it plus some Australian buttons.

Stuff was plentiful in those days, I already had a Kukri which I bought for 10/- from another friend who had lived in the same house previously, life is strange.

Rob

manchesters · #3 13-09-20, 01:50 PM

Heres a good article on what to look for when buying a kukri.
Interesting reading.

http://sirkukri.blogspot.com/2013/08...ary-kukri.html

regards

yorkstone · #4 13-09-20, 06:43 PM

Thank you guys Simon interesting sight
Regards
Stephen

Alex Rice · #5 14-09-20, 06:50 AM

Fantastic find, well done!

Irv · #6 14-09-20, 12:37 PM

You see the same arrow ‘I’ mark on india contract FS command knives. Looks like a WW2 issue kukri. Just missing the frog it goes in.

yorkstone · #7 14-09-20, 02:29 PM

Thank you Alex

Irv first three umbers are 191 then possibly a 8 or 9 work to be done yet to bring it clearer

Regards

Stephen

Gurkha · #8 17-09-20, 07:03 PM

Stephen, i had to wait till home to check my notes.
the markings on your Kukri are as follows, I^G= Indian Government,
DHW is the maker. They made Kukris in 1918, 1919. The II is the mark =Mark II.
The Mark II was in manufacture from 1915 to at least 1944. so yours is a nice early one.
regards
Steve M

yorkstone · #9 17-09-20, 09:04 PM

Steve M
Many thanks for your post nice to corroborated. I can rest contented tonight.

As I previously said I have probably handled hundreds of Kukri’s over the years just picked this up to look at the blade out of habit and so pleased to have found an early example.

I have been buffing the blade by hand with a piece of leather and it is looking much better though in good but dry condition to start with.

Many thanks.

Steve