Khukuri with British 1821 Light Calvary Hilt
Khukuri with British 1821 Light Calvary Hilt
Gurkha
Fort William, Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British Raj (Fort William, Kolkata, West Bengal, India)
Mid- 19th century
Steel, iron, wood
Blade: 36,5cm
Spine Thickness: 1cm
Hilt & Blade: 49,2cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2024
Collection Number: 394
A large and very heavy Gurkha Khukuri knife attached to a British 1821 calvary hilt. The blade of this Khukuri is quite large and heavy. Single- edged curved steel with the thick 1cm spine having a forged medial ridge. There are two deep fullers (khol) that span parallel to the spine for approximately 1/2 of the blade's length. There is a well pronounced notch (cho) at the base of the blade. Above is a deeply engraved stamp of an upwards semi-circle with a dot within. This stamp is thought to be that of the Nepal Royal Armory, which is often crudely copied on later Khukuri knives. This mark is original to the blade, which would date it to at least mid- 19th century. Also engraved to the right of the stamp are the letters "FW" referring to the inspection stamp imprinted at the British Fort William in theBengal Precsidency.
Interestingly, the khukuri is paired with the hilt of an 1821 British light calvary saber. The hilt is of wood with an iron knurling backstrap with a crosshatched spine and iron ringed pommel. Attaching it to the blade is a steel bolster and ferrule. Some chips to the wood pommel. A very tight, sturdy, and authentic heavy weapon. I have not seen another variation like this, making it reasonably unique. This is one of those pieces that retains its personal character and allure, and one can wonder the history it holds within and the journey it's been through.
[1] https://prm.ox.ac.uk/collections-online#/item/prm-object-43466