After the start of WW II in 1939, the British Ordnance Board went back to work and revitalized the WW I Mk II (fig. 1). New models appear as the M43 and later the K series which are more sophisticated designs than first glance indicates with scale wooden grips held by very large steel rivets, no metal bolster and only a simple wide ring in the middle of the grip. It is this model that continues as the Mk III (fig. 3) used by contemporary Gurkha Regiments in India. The blades were also beefed up and this knife also looks and feels extremely tough and efficient. The scabbards for the new Mk II and the K series are based on the WW I models that incorporated a raised ridge near the throat to hold the variety of frogs, plus the brass chape and as before, an accompanying small knives. This style frog echoes pre WW I models in that they have a lace-uo feature, although with fewer eyelets than found in the 19thcentury. The 1940s seems to be the period when two hanging straps became prevalent. The Indian-made pieces especially embraced this idea and it became their standard for all military kukris (fig 3).
Fig. 4. Various MK 2 Kukri knives, including the famous M 43 marked Kukri.
JP Collection.
Fig. 2. The MK 3 Kukri with Scabbard, WW2 era.
JP Collection.
Fig. 1. Three MK 2 Kukri´s from WW1, Inter War era and WW2, subtle differences are found in each era.
JP Collection.
Fig. 3. Various Indian made Kukris from WW2 and just after WW2. The image include Kukri´s used in themilitary but not the Officially issued MK 2 and MK 3.
JP Collection.
The M43 (fig. 4) is a sophisticated, well engineered design that incorporates the bolster as part of the blade, has wider pommel and scaled wooden grips incised with five or six grooves for a better grip. Earlier versions that were a transition from the MK II have a separate bolster. The highly visible ring is gone as are the small knives on most models. Around this time the Indian Army started a model of their own although it had no particular designation. The big differences from the M43 was the use of scaled horn grips and the introduction of a very visible shoulder on a more angled blade. These particular knives came at the end of the war and were continued after India’s independence in 1947. World War II markings vary widely; many carried not only the British “Broad Arrow”(fig. 5) but would also be marked as to type and possibly include the soldier’s number on the blade or grip.
Fig. 5. Issue stamps on the scabbard often indicate where it was made "C", that it was issued "Broad arrow", whom it was made by "G.W.L." and the year it passed inspection "1943".
JP Collection.
A Kukri from WW2 but not a official military issue pattern, many of these are found as private purchase Kukri and varies from soldiers to officers.
JP Collection.
The MK 3 Kukri which JP refers to as the K model.
Stamp of manufacturer and year.
JP Collection.
The kukri found itself whenever there was a Gurkha soldier;
All though Asia, parts of North Africa, the Mid-East and Europe, most notably in Italy. Burma was the threat where more Victoria Crosses were won by Gurkha than in any other campaign. In this period scabbards were covered with khaki, green or brown fabric ranging from canvas or web material through tightly woven cotton (fig. 6 A & B).
Fig. 6 A. Canvas covered Kukri scababrd from WW2.
JP Collection.
These were called Nepalese Kukri´s by JP but are actually Indian made. Several are known to have been used by officers and soldiers alike from WW1 till WW2.
JP Collection.
Fig. 7. A ivory handle private purchase and/or Officer´s piece from late WW2 till early 1950s. The blade is an adaptation of the MK3 Kukri blade.
JP Collection.
WW2 era Kukri knives with scabbard and some with Karda and Chakmak.
JP Collection.
Fig. 6 B. WW 2 era Kukri knives (Private purchase and perhaps regimental/battalion issued), some with Canvas covered scabbards.
JP Collection.
While English, Indian and Nepalese Officers were carrying kukris in the field prior to WW I somewhere along the line officer’s knives became the special model distinguished by a lighter and smaller blade; in some cases having ivory grips (fig. 7). some of these fancier knives with ivory, bone and aluminum grips were also carried by bandsmen (fig. 8). The leader, a pipe-major, would not just wear a fancy gripped model, but would proudly display an ornamented kothimora. There are photographs of kothimora being worn in the Officer’s Mess by the mess sergeant-major and attendants as a sign of privilege.
Fig. 8. A metal handle MK 2, at times caleld a M43 but is usually not stamped with M 43.
JP Collection.
Various Kukri´s from WW2 as used by the military but not official issue pattern.
JP Collection.
WW1 and WW2 era Alloy/metal Kukri knives with scabbards.
JP Collection.
Two Kukri´s with scabbards, bottom scabbard has the belt loops attached to the front.
JP Collection.
A WW2 Standard pattern MK 3 Kukri. Along with the MK 2, made up the Official issue patterns of WW2.
JP Collection.
Karda and Chakmak labeled WW2 but may be earlier, the Interwar years, at the Gurkha Museum, UK.
JP collection.
A genuine WW2 private purchase Kukri but the stamps are fake.
With Antique Kukris always find out if the stamps are genuine as fake stamped Kukris have been around since the 1970s if not before.
JP Collection.
A "Chaudhary" stamped Kukri, attributed to late WW2 and the years just following WW2.
Often bought as Private purchase.
JP Collection.
A odd design Kukri, at times called a Paratropper or Special Forces Kukri from WW2.
At some stage in the 1970s or later another "run" of these were made in India for sale in the Western market. These later made are of inferior quality and have no relation to the military, except being a bad copy thereoff.
JP Collection.
A WW2 era Survival Kukri, often provenanced to Airforce men serving on the CBI theatre.
JP Collection.
A WW2 Standard pattern MK 2 Kukri complete with scabbard and belt frog.
JP Collection.
Titled as a Officer´s Kukri by JP which it may have been. This type is known to have been used by Armoured Car troops, Pilots and others in Burma during WW2. The Kukri is similar to the M43 but is somewhat shorter and ha a broader blade belly.
JP Collection.
Read more about WW2 Kukri knives, article by Jonathan Sedwell:
"The 20th Century British Military Gurkha Issue Kukri."
Further info on the Nepalese Military Kukri by Dr. Benjamin Judkins is found here.
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