Original Item:The Gurkha Kukri is possibly the most recognizable and famous fighting knife ever developed. Indigenous to the mountain Kingdom of Nepal, home of the Gurkhas who were "absorbed" into the British sphere of influence with the Treaty of Seguli in 1816. These ferocious fighters were infamous for their valor and for using the kukri an amazing "Tool of Death". It is a forward leaning leaf shaped blade, which provided the user with leveraged striking power. The kukri was became an everyday tool as much as it was a deadly weapon. Introduced long before the British arrived in the early 19th century, the Kukri became standard equipment for Gurkha Regiments serving in the British Army. Ironically the earliest Kukris are the largest, which seems improbable as improvements in nutrition and health care has resulted in mankind in general being much larger today than in 1800, yet with Kukris it is the exact reverse.

All of IMA?s Kukris originate from our 2003 purchase of the Royal Nepalese Arsenal, which was located at the palace of Lagan Silekhana in Katmandu, Nepal. The purchase included a considerable number of military issue Kukris. In broad terms the Kukri inventory falls into the following categories:

Victorian Era Long Leaf Kukri: The largest and oldest, each with Nepalese Negari script indicating various 19th century manufacture dates and were in use up until the late 1890s. Offered with original soft leather scabbard or without scabbard. Approximately 19" long, 2-1/2" wide, 3/8" thick.

Early Bhojpure Kukri: Produced at the turn of the 19th century and after this is a somewhat down scaled version of the Victorian Long Leaf kukri but it tends to have western markings and some even bear WWI dates. However, dated Bhojpore Kukris run fewer than 5% of our inventory. It appears these saw service from the 1890?s through the first quarter of the 20th century. Offered with original soft leather scabbard or without scabbard. Approximately 17" long, 2-1/2" wide, 3/8" thick.

Late Bhojpure Kukri: A smaller variation of the Bhojpure Kukri. These bear a "broad arrow" marking and the knife comes in original British WW2 dated hard leather over wood combat scabbard. Very few available. Approximately 15-1/2" long, 2-3/8" wide, 9/32" thick.

Mark II Kukri: Produced during WW2, each is maker marked in western script with WW2 dates. Each Mark II Kukri comes in British WW2 dated hard leather over wood combat scabbard. These Kukris are the most rare of all, as many never returned to arsenal storage after service in WW2. Approximately 16-1/2" long, 2-3/8" wide, 9/32" thick

All IMA Kukris come from the same Royal Nepalese Army military source and should not be confused with ?Tourist" productions so commonly encountered today. All Kukris are shipped un-cleaned in original grease, which dates back decades or even a century, for you to remove at your leisure.