Kirpan
Sikh
British Raj (Pakistan - India)
Mid- 20th century (ca. 1940 - 1945)
Steel, bone, brass, leather
Blade: 21cm
Hilt & Blade: 31,6cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 32,7cm
Collection Date: 2016

Ex. American Art Market (2016)

A kirpan knife from within the British Raj (Pakistan - India) during the time period of World War II. These type of knives were sold throughout India to returning G.I. soldiers to Europe and America as popular souvenirs. Their construction and form are always the same with minor deviations in material and decoration, the most popular using inlaid nacre on the hilt. I have found two examples with provenance, the first stated as being sold from the Khalsa Kirpan Factory in Amritsar in Pubjab. The second, engraved with the date "June 16, 1945 Calcutta" on the brass locket. Many of the blades were acid etched with "India", Victory", or "Pure Steel. "

The knife has a single- edged curved steel blade with a ricasso at the base and a false edge for the top remainder 1/3 length tapering into a point. The blade has been grinded down and polished, erasing any acid etching phrases that were on the blade previously. Bone hilt with three engraved lines on the front side. Brass ferrule and cross guard engraved with diamond shaped patterns terminating in animal head (lion?) quillions. A brass linked chain guard connects to the brass pommel, which is in the form of a bird's head (eagle?). Red leather sheath with horizontal diamond pattern tooling. Brass engraved locket with belt hook. The locket is now loose and slides on the sheath. Missing the brass chape that would have belonged, which is overly common on these. While not entirely old, an interesting item from the World War period.

[1] http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23518&highlight=anglo-indian

[2] https://www.oldbarn.com/auction-lot/calcutta-india-june-16th-1945-wwii-knife_D364025A8F