Original Item: One Only. The Gurkha Kukri (Nepali: खुकुरी khukuri) is possibly the most recognizable and famous fighting knife ever developed. Indigenous to the mountain Kingdom of Nepal, home of the Gurkhas who were "absorbed" into the British sphere of influence with the Treaty of Seguli in 1816. These ferocious fighters were infamous for their valor and for using the kukri an amazing "Tool of Death". It is a forward leaning leaf shaped blade, which provided the user with leveraged striking power. The kukri was became an everyday tool as much as it was a deadly weapon. Introduced long before the British arrived in the early 19th century, the Kukri became standard equipment for Gurkha Regiments serving in the British Army. Ironically the earliest Kukris are the largest, which seems improbable as improvements in nutrition and health care has resulted in mankind in general being much larger today than in 1800, yet with Kukris it is the exact reverse.

This kukri originates from our 2003 purchase of the Royal Nepalese Arsenal, which was located at the palace of Lagan Silekhana in Katmandu, Nepal. The purchase included a considerable number of military issue Kukris, including a very small number of British-Issued WW2-dated Kukris. These examples were produced in India and Nepal under British Contracts for the War effort, and are very hard to find on the market today. Almost all were of the earlier Mk.II variety, which had been produced since the WWI period in 1915.

However in 1943 a new pattern was developed, that utilized more modern manufacturing techniques, which has been designated the Mk.III. Kukri.  Unlike the Mk.II, it does not have a blade bolster. It also features much larger grip scale rivets, and a more robust pommel cap. The most noticeable difference however is the BLADE. It is much more angular in overall shape than the Mk.II, and is also produced with a slightly hollow grinding process, which stiffens and reduces weight of the blade. The overall profile is also much more shaped like a traditional knife, less round and more angular.

This example is in very good condition, and is maker marked and dated on the blade: P. C. Co. / 1945. The marking is unfortunately somewhat unclear, and overall the stampings on early MkIII kukris are hard to read, due to the different steel process used apparently. This would probably be for "Pioneer Calcutta Co., but it could also mean something else. There are also SA / 243 inspection marks on both the blade and the handle.

This example has a 12 1/4 inch blade, and an overall length of 17 inches. The blade is in very good condition, with some wear, but a good edge and just some rust specking  and minor pitting, as shown. The grip scales are in good condition, with some small chips near the pommel and dents, but no major cracks. As with other MkIII Kukris, this example has a full length and width blade tang, which significantly increased the durability of the kukri when compared to the small partial tang earlier versions had.

The hard leather scabbard is in very good condition, with the leather almost completely intact, and an intact brass nose cap. It is marked C1944 / C (Broad Arrow) 87, and fits the kukri well. This is one of the last of these kukris that we will have to offer, and makes a great addition to any Nepalese collection.