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Kirpan
Sikh
British Raj (Pakistan - India)
Ca. 1940 - 1945
Steel, bone, brass, leather
Blade: 8" (20.3cm)
Hilt & Blade: 12 1/2" (31.8cm)
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 12 3/4" (32.4cm)
Collection Date: 2016

Ex. American Art Market (2016)

An Anglo- Indian kirpan knife of the British Raj (Pakistan - India) during the World War II period. These types of kirpans were sold throughout India to returning British soldiers and American G.I.'s as popular souvenirs on their deployments. Their construction and form are the same, with minor deviations in material and decoration, the most popular using inlaid nacre or bone hilt handles. Many of the blades were acid etched with "India," "Victory," or "Pure Steel" on the ricasso. The form influenced by British naval dirks.

Examples that I have found with provenance were all sold from different parts of India to Western soldiers near the end of WWII. The first sold from the Khalsa Kirpan Factory in Amritsar, Pubjab, where most were likely produced. The second example is engraved with the date "June 16, 1945 Calcutta" on the brass locket, while the third example was purchased in Karachi in September 1944.

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 to a sharp point. The blade has been grinded down and polished, erasing any acid etching phrases that may have been on the blade previously. Bone central grip with three verticle lines on the front side, while plain on the reverse. Cast brass ferrule and cross guard. The cross guard is engraved with diamond shaped patterns on both sides with the quillon ends terminating in an animal head, likely a lions head. A brass linked chain guard connects from the cross guard to the pommel, which is in the form of a bird's head, possibly an eagle. The red leather sheath has a horizontal diamond pattern tooling on one side, with stitching on the reverse. Brass engraved locket with belt hook in a floral design. The locket is now loose and can slide on the sheath but will stay in place. Missing the brass chape that would have belonged, which is very common on these. An interesting G.I. bring back knife from the World War period.

Photograph 24: Sikh veterans of World War I at the British Army recruit fair, Jalandhar District, Pubjab, WWII Period.

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

[2] https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/55154-kirpan-souvenir-from-karachi-british-india-1944/

[3] https://www.oldbarn.com/auction-lot/calcutta-india-june-16th-1945-wwii-knife_D364025A8F (Sold $150 June 2024)

[4] Similar sold on Ebay for $160.00 (May 2022)