Two photo sets of Kothimora Kukri knives, mainly which JP himself had. Till today many of the best known Kothimoras were once JP´s. 

JP collection. 

Kothimora is a Nepali term. The word is formed from two nouns, namely kothi meaning in this context “ornamented tip” and hence the ornamented chape (tip) of a scabbard, and muhuda, meaning “face”. But the word is now used as an adjective, and note that strictly speaking the term is applied to the decorated scabbard, and only indirectly (by transference) to the kukri it holds. The well-known author of many books on Nepal and the Gurkhas, Colonel J.P. Cross states that the full pedantic wording would be “kothimora dap bhaeko kukri”. Although for convenience one refers to this style as a “kothimora kukri”, in reality the poorest of kukris would still be called a “kothimora” if carried in a kothimora scabbard. The term can be found spelled kothimora, kothimoora or kothimoda - all of which are attempts to approximate in English the correct pronunciation of subtle sounds that are more accurately expressed in the Nagri script or Sanskrit of Nepal and northern India.

Fig. 4. The "buttons" on the Palace kothimora, range from metal, leather to gold.

 (Image: Gurkha Antiques).

 From about 1850 in the British-Indian army, these “regimental” kothimoras were worn only by the Pipe Major (senior bagpiper) when on parade and (fig. 8) senior NCO and ORs of the Officer's Mess.

Perhaps the majority of kukris in this category were presented to British Officers in Gurkha regiments of the British-Indian Army. In such regiments it was and still is, traditional for the officers to present one of their colleagues with a kothimora kukri when he retires from the unit, or for the entire company to do the same when its commander moves on to his next posting. Such precious mementos are often “named” or inscribed with the recipient's name, battalion or regiment, (fig.9) and less commonly with a particular action or occasionally by the kami who made the knife. Finding these names and dates is quite a lucky thing since it may be the only way to find the provenance of the knife. And finding any true history behind a kukri bought on the open market is well nigh impossible.

Whereas the palace types may date back to the 18th century, most surviving “regimental” kothimoras do not date any further back than the mid 19th century, and most are later than that. Today they are still being presented to retiring officers, and poor copies are easily found in bazaars and shops.

In this category, most scabbards are of wood covered first with velvet (red, green, purple and black are favourite colours) and then with chapes and lockets of deep repousse-worked silver.

In their decorative silver work, true “regimental” kothimoras feature many of the god's and deities favoured by the Nepalese or Indians and iconography can jump from Buddhist to Hindu quite handily. Besides featuring the 'padma' (lotus), 'matsya' (2 fish), 'chhatra' (parasol) or more among the many other symbols cut into the intricate designs, there seems to be a fondness of the fierce 'Chhepu' who consists only of a face and hands that hold a 'naga' (snake) firmly clamped in his jaws. Somewhere in these designs one or more of the 'Astamangala' or Eight Auspicious Signs will be worked in to give the kukri more power and protection for the owner. Sometimes the regiment's badge is featured, but that was less common with early examples. (fig. 10)

The reverse side of the locket can reflect some excellently engineered design with different types of attachment for the small scabbards carrying the by-knives and pouch made for tinder and flint. Not only is the leather work of this part superior, but sometimes it will be covered in the same velvet as the scabbard. The pieces can be formed as one unit and can be attached with stitching at the top or bottom, or with a series of metal or thread loops that are then joined with a small piece of wood or metal similar to a toothpick. The entire trio of scabbards and pouches can then be easily removed and because of this these kothimoras are frequently found without this important component. 

The knives of this type of kothimora are often excellent and provide a fine canvas for some elaborate engraving. Not only will you sometimes find the recipient's name here, but a salesman's company, some of the symbols previously mentioned, and in these two cases (fig. 12) the kamis themselves. One who was so skilful that he elaborately and humorously engraved the spine with a finger pointing to his name to make sure you would see who did all this fine work. The cho (the notch at the blade's ricasso) is detailed and filed and sits under a Nepalese arsenal mark that rests next to a Queen's Crown. The silver grip itself is very detailed and heavily repousseed. Kami Bhanu Lohar who made this kukri was the armourer for the 1/4th Goorkha Rifles and has left quite a legacy. The scabbard has a green velvet base cover with stamped edge guards of silver and a chape surmounted by a ritual fountain. The locket is also unique in that it holds no stud for the usual discs and rings and also because herein lie 'Chhepu' also known as 'Kirtimukha' and above this crossed thunderbolts or 'Viswa Vajra', the destroyer of all evils.

Fig. 12. Regimental Kothimora, this piece was described by JP as the "best engraving I have ever seen". A magnificeint Dui Chirra blade with the Royal British crown, Crescent moon and many other fine details.

Spine is marked "Bhanu Lohar Armourer 1. 4 Goorkhas", meaning 1st battalion 4th Gurkha Rifles. 

JP Collection (currently in the SirKukri collection). 

Even though some kukris found in kothimora scabbards aren't special in themselves, you will tend to find very good blades and sometimes elaborate and engraved grips on regimental kothimoras (fig. 13). Polished bone, ivory, silver capped woods and even a nicely carved 'garuda' (a giant eagle, who appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana) can be found. These are all nice items, even from the poorest grade of materials and engraving, up to the sales representative's aluminium-handled kothimora and nickeled blade presented to the 8th Gurkha Rifles by Kehar Sing, contractor to the regiment.

Another difference besides the box construction is the addition of an engraved silver and chased centre piece that is held around the knife just below the locket by a silver strap (fig. 16). These shields may be representations of previously mentioned deities or gods plus some hold a semi-precious stone or piece of jade. They are very good examples of the sunar's expertise and done in silver alone or with a gold wash. The artistry extends to both the chape and the locket. Some pieces will also have nicely engraved sides because the construction afforded such large surfaces to work with. The kukris inside such scabbards are rarely decorated or fancy, but may include a grip of ivory, highly polished wood or horn. These aren't early pieces and all that I have seen have a brass bolster which puts them after 1900 and well into the 1920's and 30's.

The naming or presentation inscriptions will be found along the outer curve of the scabbard or on the centre design. In my opinion kothimoras of this type were made just as presentation pieces for civilians and those not in any military service. The scabbards themselves will be found with velvet coverings or done completely in horn. This box construction will also be found in pure wood scabbards that are usually elaborately carved, but with no metal adornment. (fig. 17) They are of a much simpler style and meant for use.(fig. 18) 

Left & right: Two images of early Kothimoras.

The use of quil embroidery seems to have been a typical sign of the early kothimoras and is also depicted in Kirkpatricks work from 1793/1811 AD. 

Metal chapes seems also to have been used but more often of the filigree style then a solid piece with is then worked, which took over by the mid to late 19th century. 

JP Collection.