here's a theory:
they figured the future generation (us) would go by the elephant trunk theory to figure out what tribe made the particular kris, so they put a cover on it to negate the theory...
looks like whoever owned it originally probably added the brass cover to beautify the kris, lol. with the kris in scabbard and those brass sticking out, it does look sharp.
my question is, what's the purpose of the rattan bind?

it appears both baka2x are present...