JP had not only a vast knowledge on the Kukri but perhaps a even finer collection of photos of Kukri knives which he had himself, received from other collectors, from auctioners/sellers or aquired for his research from Museums. Some of these images which have not been used in the text material/articles here on the webpage of Heritage Knives, i.e. the series on the Kukri Book and Kothimora, are here shown.
Traditional Blades/ Knives &
Sword of the Gurkhas.
19th & first half of 20th century.
A. Ram Dao, used mainly for sacrificial rituals, may at some stage have been a weapon of War.
B, C, E. Kukri Knives.
D. Kora Sword, common fighting blade in the 18th and 19th century.
"Kukri - "Far the best known forms of Nepalese swords are the two commonly associated with the Gurkhas, the Kukri and the Kora. Despite the fact that in modern times the Kukri has come to be regarded as the national weapon of the Gurkhas, its form shows that it is a weapon of purely Indian descent, related to the Kopis-bladed sword of Ajanta, and the modern Rajput Sosun Pattah."
- P. Rawson, 1968.
Ram Dao & various Kukri knives.
Image titled "Kukri & Kora from Germany".
Hanshee Kukri knives.
19th century.
“The kookree is sharp and narrow at the point, suddenly increasing in breadth, and thus presenting a great surface of cutting edge, which is rendered still more effectual by its bent shape and short edge. The Goorkhas generally drive the kookree into the abdomen or belly of their opponents, and thus rip them up with great dexterity and expedition.”
- W. L. M’Gregor, 1846.
"...this formidable knife forms part of the equipment of every Goorkha soldier, each recruit bringing one with him on appearing for enlistment. The kookree is worn when in uniform on the right side in a leather frog... the height of a Goorkhas ambition is to get to sufficiently close quarters when in action to admit of bringing his favorite weapon into play, on which occasions he will not unfrequently use his rifle as a shield in his left hand to protect his head."
- United Service Magazine, 1871.
Hanshee Kukri knives.
19th century.
"The chief implement of the Goorkah is the Koorkerie, a curved knife, which has proved very formidable to the rebels, and with which they encounter a foe at close quarters, or dispatch a wounded man. ...1500 Goorkahs and two guns, was met by some 5000 of the enemy with seven guns...The curved knives made quick work. Ten minutes after their charge the enemy had disappeared. ...the Goorkahs carry koorkeries, formidable couteaux de chasse (p. 13)."
- The Illustrated London News, 1858.
Tulwar & Kora grip
Kukri knives.
19th & early 20th century.
The earliest Tulwar & Kora gripped Kukri´s are from the early 1800´s, some may date to the late 1700´s. Nepal shares a long border on three sides with India and share a strong relationship with its neighbour, not only cutlurally but in almost every way. The use of Persian and Urdu was common in the Nepalese court though Nepali (Khas bhasa) laguage was the main language. Mughal influences can be seen in dress and court functions over the 18th and 19th century as well. The use of Tulwars and Koras for example is just as old as the Kukri itself and it is not suprising that some Kukri´s appear with a grip similar to the Tulwar / Kora.
Some of these style Kukris seem to have been used within the Gurkha regiments until the early 1900´s.
Tulwar grip
Kukri knives.
Late 19th to 20th century.
Image 3 JP titles as "Madras Kukri", probably meaning it originated from the Madras in south India.
It is not uncommon to find Kukri´s with Tulwar or Kora handles. They were either made such, others refitted while some are purely to make a sale.
Sirupate Kukri´s.
19th and early 20th century.
The Sirupate is charachterised by its long and slim blade. The name takes its origin from a grass found in the Himalayas.
"The kukri, a short, curved, broad-bladed, and heavy knife, is the real national weapon of the Goorkhas, and it is worn by all from the highest to the lowest. In our regiments they are carried in a frog attached to the waist-belt. From the beginning of the handle to the end or point of the blade they average about 20 inches in length. Where wood is plentiful, they are very fond of practicing cutting with the kukri, and they will cut down with one blow a tree the size of an ordinary man's arm."
Capt. Vansittart, 1890.
"Even we ourselves, while looking on at some Nipalese sacrificing animals to their gods, could hardly believe our eyes when we saw the head of a buffalo severed from the neck by a single stroke from this truly formidable weapon. The man who performed this amazing feat informed us, with broad grins following a convulsive " Ha, ha! " that he could as easily decapitate two human heads with one blow; and a confederate bystander explained the purport of this savage remark by observing that, in divorce cases, not the ordinary law of civilization, but the all-powerful kokre, summarily settles, and effectually avenges any injury to the matrimonial bed."
- Lt. J.T. Nash, 1893.
Traditional Military Kukri.
19th & early 20th century.
Two Hanshee, two Budhume Kukris and four Karda & Chakmak. 19th century.
Three traditional military Kukris of the 19th and early 20th century (top).
“For close in-and-in fighting in the hands of a man who knows how to use it, no more terrible weapon has ever been devised. They vary in size from a foot to about two feet six inches; and you can judge of the severity of its blow when you see a stout little Gurkha cutting, with one stroke, clean through the neck of a fair-sized buffalo."
- P.B. Bramley, 1899.
Military Kukri,
Ang Khola blades.
first half of 20th century.
Image titled "a perfect shaped Kukri."
Rare and amazing Kukri´s.
Late 19th and early 20th century.
A stunning tin (3) chirra Kukri.
Often refered to as Sirmoor Kukri.
A metal handle Kukri with "layered steel".
"A more useful weapon it would be impossible to place in the hands of any man than the kokre is in those of the Nipalese. He uses it for all purposes, and without it he seldom stirs out abroad. It is his sword, his table-knife, his razor, and his nail-parer ; with it he clears the jungle for his cultivation, builds his log-hut, skins the animals that he slaughters in short, without the kokre he is as helpless as a child ; with it he is a formidable warrior, as well as a man of all work."
- Lt. Nash, 1893.
Kothimora Kukri.
19th to early 20th century.
A very unusual Kothimora with a ivory hilt which has a eagle /bird head carved on it. 19th century.
Beautiful silver-work on the upper chape. Early 20th century.
Kothimora, bottom chape,
early 19th century.
Antique Kothimoras often show the finest craftsmanship of its time, made for men of means who could pay and appreciated the craft, both in the knife and in the scababrds ornaments. It is only in modern times we have started with "wall hangers", old Kothimoras were made for use.
Traditional Kukri with Trousse.
Late 19th to early
20th century.
"...by the Goorkas, is a most useful weapon at all times, and at close quarters in action a most dangerous and deadly one. The khokery is shaped like a curved knife, narrow near the handle, and curving inwards, the blade varying from fourteen to sixteen inches in length, and two and half inches wide at its broadest part. The case in which it is contained is likewise furnished with various useful articles, viz.: a couple of small knifes, a pair of scissors, needle and thread, tweezers, and the requisite apparatus for striking a light, and in the use of which the Goorkhas are remarkably expert."
- Capt. Thomas Smith, 1852.
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