- Joined
- Oct 11, 2000
- Messages
- 372
Well, I find myself in the uncomfortable position of starting to believe what forumites are saying, directly and indirectly, namely that this forum needs a major injection to get back some of its lost vitality. Let me hope, under adverse indications, that this new thread might elicit some interest and response.
It is a well-known fact that many collectors do not specialise. I do believe most collections are quite varied. I myself definitely do NOT collect khukuris alone. I am probably more of a collector of militaria than anything else. Khukuris have been used to good effect as weapons of war, therefore some of them fall under "militaria". Even a brand-new SN1 will, to my mind, be militaria. Now it appeals to me to know that khukuris used in the First World War were carried in conjunction with, for example, Short Magazine Lee Enfield rifles (SMLE's). And it is a statement of fact that a person collecting WW I khukuris, PLUS Mk III SMLE's, PLUS WW I uniforms and accroutrements belonging to the relevant units, will have a very nice thematic militaria collection indeed. To me it will be more interesting than eg. a collection of khukuris alone. In contrast, Mr. John Powell is a specialist in khukuris, but that's fine by me.
Not only SMLE's were carried by khukuri-wielding Gurkhas. According to information I happened to come by, the attack on the Peiwar Kotal, Afghanistan, by 5th Gurkha Rifles in December 1878, was delivered by Gurkhas carrying SNIDER RIFLES with yatagan bayonets. These Gurkhas would have had khukuris at their belts. Opposing them were Scottish Highlander units carrying the newer Martini-Henry rifles. Highlanders would have had their claymores as well. Every man to his edged weapon!
Of course, "modern" khukuri-carrying Gurkhas would be equipped with the most advanced firearms, but I am not really interested in modern-day weapons. It's the Sniders and SMLE's in Gurkha hands which make interest reading for a guy like myself. Maybe like yourselves, too!
It is a well-known fact that many collectors do not specialise. I do believe most collections are quite varied. I myself definitely do NOT collect khukuris alone. I am probably more of a collector of militaria than anything else. Khukuris have been used to good effect as weapons of war, therefore some of them fall under "militaria". Even a brand-new SN1 will, to my mind, be militaria. Now it appeals to me to know that khukuris used in the First World War were carried in conjunction with, for example, Short Magazine Lee Enfield rifles (SMLE's). And it is a statement of fact that a person collecting WW I khukuris, PLUS Mk III SMLE's, PLUS WW I uniforms and accroutrements belonging to the relevant units, will have a very nice thematic militaria collection indeed. To me it will be more interesting than eg. a collection of khukuris alone. In contrast, Mr. John Powell is a specialist in khukuris, but that's fine by me.
Not only SMLE's were carried by khukuri-wielding Gurkhas. According to information I happened to come by, the attack on the Peiwar Kotal, Afghanistan, by 5th Gurkha Rifles in December 1878, was delivered by Gurkhas carrying SNIDER RIFLES with yatagan bayonets. These Gurkhas would have had khukuris at their belts. Opposing them were Scottish Highlander units carrying the newer Martini-Henry rifles. Highlanders would have had their claymores as well. Every man to his edged weapon!
Of course, "modern" khukuri-carrying Gurkhas would be equipped with the most advanced firearms, but I am not really interested in modern-day weapons. It's the Sniders and SMLE's in Gurkha hands which make interest reading for a guy like myself. Maybe like yourselves, too!