Here we have a rare 2/8th Mk1 with a weight of 770g and a blade length of 34cm and was issued to the 2/8th Gurkha Rifles who were formed in 1907. Please refer to photos to see condition of kukri and scabbard. Pictures shown are of the actual kukri you will receive.
Whilst the Mk1 Kukri were initially issued before WW1 they were used in WW1, the blade length was usually 34-35 cm, with a weight range from around 570 grams to 900 grams. The ones around the high end (870-900) gram mark, usually had the 1915 Cossipore stamp, and were quite frankly awful and handle like bricks.
Perhaps the most famous Mk1 is the one picked up by Private RH Wand (16 years of age) of the Seaforth Highlanders on the 10th May 1915 at the Battle of Auber’s. It is now on display the Gurkha Museum (GM) in Winchester. The GM has it either from the 1/2nd or 1/9th Gurkhas who along with the Seaforth Highlanders were part of the Dehra Dun Brigade (as were the Seaforth’s). Both the 2nd Gurkhas and 9th Gurkhas were based at Dehra Dun. Even though there was reasonable consistency in shape there wasn’t in weight, combined with the variety of scabbards and frogs suggests that outside contractors were used, and their Mk1 Kukri were then stamped at Fort William or Rawalpindi etc. The IWM has a Mk1 that they attribute to the 2nd Gurkhas in WW1.
The rifle in the picture of the Gurkha wearing a Mk1 is potentially the British .303 calibre Martini-Enfield Rifle.
This kukri will be sent to you via the UK. You must be 18 yrs and over to purchase any knife or sword.
