I have to say that that is a beautiful kris, Battara! Maybe one day I will own one likr that.
What about the possibility that those documented blades you have seen were traded blades?
I'm re-reading Cato's book, and hereare his descriptions:
Maranao:
"The type that is distinctly Maranao begins with an elongated trunk. The mouth cavity, while still present, is quite narrow, and the lower jaw runs parallel to the guard. While the Sulu, Maguindanao and crossover forms of elephant's head/trunk motif display concave cavities beneath the lower jaw, the Maranao configuration does not. Instead a substantial protrusion juts out from beneath it."
here's the Maguindanao description:
"The type that is uniquely Maguindanao is similar to the Sulu version, to the point of being easily mistaken for it"
and this:
"The Maguindanao style, like the Sulu, exhibits an elliptical elephant's mouth that is still somewhat pointed on the innermost end."
Also, nowhere in the book does it says the Maranaos did not use these type of hilts, but rather, "Flamboyant junggayan-type were not popular with the Maranaos... the pommels of their ceremonial krises were generally confined to the standard kakatua profile." I would take this statement that there's a possibility the Maranaos did use these type of pommel on their Ceremonial krises.
Not trying to be in disagreement, Battara, just confused on how these krises are classified. On some threads, whenever it doesn't fit Cato's classification, it's classified as "traded".
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