sword moro ? for identification
 

I think has a sword moro pira ??, it measures 84 cm long, the blade 65 cm, the width of the blade to the largest 7 cm, and 7 mm thickness at the edge of the handle

.the sword with the 90 cm sleeve length

more photos

no comments other than it's gorgeous. i want one.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...ckew/drool.gif

Nice example... :) I really like the aesthetic of the kilij-style blade profile.

Here's to hoping for some input from more of our resident Morophiles on the appearance of this particular pira profile - aside from its ethographic attribution (fothcoming as well I hope), I would like to know if it associated with a particular timeframe? :shrug: :confused:

Great images, good description, and I'll join the consensus in noting this is an attractive example. While looking forward to the impending assessments of the collectors, as this does seem an unusual example, I'd very much like to know your thoughts on this item beyond the pira note.
Also what is the second item displayed?
Any thoughts toward the floral emblem at the yelman root?

A NICE PIRA. :) THE CARVING ON THE POMMEL IS UNUSUAL, NICE CARVING ON THE SCABBARD AS WELL. I HAVE ONE EXAMPLE WITH THIS FORM OF HANDLE AND IT DATES BEFORE WW2. I HAVE TWO EXAMPLES WITH THE LONG TAIL ON THE HANDLE WHICH ARE OLDER THAN THE SHORT HANDLED VERSION. I DON'T KNOW IF THESE FORMS ORIGINATED AND WERE IN USE AT THE SAME TIME OR IF IT IS A REGIONAL VARIATION OR WHICH IS THE OLDER FORM. YOUR SCABBARD AND HANDLE LOOK TO BE ORIGINAL TO THE BLADE, I SUSPECT IT IS PRE WW2. WHAT ARE ITS MEASURMENTS?

THE OTHER SWORD IS AN AFRICAN SALAMPASU HEADHUNTERS SWORD.

hi vandoo
the measurements of the sheath are 74 cm long and 8 cm wide

Congrats, thanks for sharing, Antoine!

This is the largest and probably the oldest blade of this type that I've seen. (Most of these seem to originate from the mid-20th c. with production of lesser quality apparently going on till today.)

Can you make out what is written on the label?

I'd love to see the blade polished and etched!

The wrapped "ferrule" is really odd as are the hanger rings on the scabbard. Any hints wether these features got added later?

Regards,
Kai

hi kai

Here are pictures of the label


What is the technique to etched the blade?

I guess I am the odd duck out. Although interesting and older than WWII in carving, I would still say that the blade is later, say, 1930s?

Hello Antoine,

Thanks, but it is hard to read - can you try to decipher it with a magnifying glass or so?

Any other info on provenance?


Here are some threads on etching Moro blades:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5092
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3265
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=788
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11
http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000570.html
http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000569.html

Regards,
Kai

Hello Jose,

That would have been about the latest date that I'd guess for this piece - probably somewhat earlier IMVHO. Not sure we can trust the label though.

Blade and fittings appear to be of similar age to me (with the possible exception of that "cloth ferrule" and the hanger rings).

Regards,
Kai

kai
Here's what I can decipher 1815 or 1875 pk asia 0123

Certainly looks like 1815 on the label to me.

looks more like 1875 to me. the long upper cap stroke is more '7-ish' than '1-ish'

the rest is OK. looks like an old museum tag.

so my guesstimate:

1875 is the date of collection
PK possibly the collector's initials
ASIA the geo. region
0123 a catalogue number (the last digit is a bit unclear)

Thanks to all for your comments

antoine