Original Items. Very Few Available. These are genuine antique Nepalese Bhojpure Kukris, representing a somewhat smaller and later military pattern than the large Victorian Long Leaf type. The kukri is one of the most recognizable edged weapons of Nepal and traditionally served both as a practical utility tool and as a fighting knife among Nepalese soldiers and Gurkha troops.

The Gorkha Kukri is possibly the most recognizable and famous fighting knife ever developed. Indigenous to the mountain Kingdom of Nepal, home of the Gorkha 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 Gorkha 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.

All of IMA's Kukris originate 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.

This style is the early Bhojpure Kukri that were typically produced at the turn of the 19th century and after. This style is a somewhat down scaled version of the Victorian Long Leaf kukri. It appears these saw service from the 1880's through the first quarter of the 20th century. These are offered in Grade 2 condition, meaning they are in lower conditions with heavier wear to the blades and fittings. 

ALL KNIVES -

- Arrive dirty packed in old original grease they are totally un-cleaned as found in

- Nepal after 100+ years in storage. 

- Vary in size, most approximately 16 ½ - 17 ½” long, 2-1/2" wide, 3/8" thick.

- Vary in condition but are Grade 2, so they are lower quality with nicks in the blade, heavier wear to the blade, cracks in the wood, etc.

- Vary in appearance

- Wood Grips have cracks and/or missing bits of wood, with some of the metal fittings loose or broken off. 

- Are the real deal and are 100% genuine antique military issue knives, these are not tourist made reproductions.

These are 100% genuine antique military-issue Grade II Nepalese kukris from the Royal Nepalese Arsenal collection and are not modern tourist-made reproductions. Their Bhojpure form, hand-forged construction, age, and documented Nepalese arsenal provenance make them excellent study and display examples of traditional Nepalese military edged weapons.