Moro Parade kris

DaveS · 31st January 2014, 11:49 PM

Here is a moro sword that must be either a parade kris or a presentation piece. It's the biggest one that I have ever seen. The 23 wave blade is 31 inches long, 39 inches overall with a danganan style pommel made of clamshell. The two end bands are suwassa with twisted brass wire on the grip. The scabbard is set with American dimes, some dating back to 1912. All in all, a very large moro sword, really too large for fighting.....Dave.

VANDOO · 1st February 2014, 12:08 AM

IT LOOKS LIKE EITHER A PRESENTATION PIECE OR ONE COMMISSIONED BY A HIGHER RANKING OFFICER LIKELY AMERICAN. APPEARS AN OLDER PIECE EARLY IN THE AMERICAN PRESENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES. ITS WELL MADE AND I BELIEVE THE COINS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR THE PERIOD AND NOT JUST SOMETHING ADDED LATER. THE BLADE IS WELL MADE AND CORRECT EXCEPT FOR ITS LARGE SIZE SO ITS NOT LIKELY A BATTLE PICK UP BUT A SPECIAL COMISSION. VERY NICE

CharlesS · 1st February 2014, 01:26 AM

Very impressive. I love the clamshell pommel.

David · 1st February 2014, 02:50 AM

Impressive indeed. Just a note that either this is not the original hilt or at least the baca-baca have been changed. The sheath seems to fit like a glove so i would image that it was indeed made specifically for this blade. The blade may be older than all the rest though. It's original intention may have been as a parade weapon or perhaps it was made for a very large man, but it seems to have found its way to being a parade blade none the less considering the suassa and clamshell. I wouldn't imaging that the American coins point to it being for an American. Dimes would not be considered a valuable token by an American, they are common and of low denomination, but they could more likely gain some kind of talismanic nature by a local Moro.

Nice find Dave!

Battara · 1st February 2014, 08:07 PM

Ok I hate to be the buzz kill but all of it appears to me to be of later origin.

The blade has pointed luks (curves), the baka-baka clamps are 1960s style (as David mentioned), and the scabbard is 1950s in style. As far as mounts are concerned, the ferrule and top mount remind me of 1960s and later work.

This all being said, it is possible that this was indeed made for a datu, but in more recent years.

Also good clamshell is hard to find.

CharlesS · 1st February 2014, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Ok I hate to be the buzz kill but all of it appears to me to be of later origin, say, 1930s - 1940s.

The blade has pointed luks (curves), the baka-baka clamps are 1960s style (as David mentioned), and the scabbard is 1950s in style. As far as mounts are concerned, the ferrule and top mount remind me of 1960s and later work.

This all being said, it is possible that this was indeed made for a datu, but in more recent years.

Also good clamshell is hard to find.

To add to Jose's statement, the rattan is definitely later and has been tinted/dyed/stained to look old. I am not familiar with that style of hilt wrap...Jose may know more about that.

I still like that clamshell. It's still an impressive "size queen" special, but Jose may be right on the mark.

DaveS · 2nd February 2014, 03:32 AM

Jose: I guess I need some schooling on what constitutes a 1950s style of baka-baka, Obviously I have seen many later styles of clamps that are very thin and not of very high quality. But this piece when in the hand, the clamps don't look any different than many much older ones that we own. Just have no idea what a 50s style looks like, aside from the easily identified tourist pieces.........Dave.

31st January 2014, 11:49 PM	#1
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	Moro Parade kris Here is a moro sword that must be either a parade kris or a presentation piece. It's the biggest one that I have ever seen. The 23 wave blade is 31 inches long, 39 inches overall with a danganan style pommel made of clamshell. The two end bands are suwassa with twisted brass wire on the grip. The scabbard is set with American dimes, some dating back to 1912. All in all, a very large moro sword, really too large for fighting.....Dave. Attached Images

1st February 2014, 12:08 AM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IT LOOKS LIKE EITHER A PRESENTATION PIECE OR ONE COMMISSIONED BY A HIGHER RANKING OFFICER LIKELY AMERICAN. APPEARS AN OLDER PIECE EARLY IN THE AMERICAN PRESENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES. ITS WELL MADE AND I BELIEVE THE COINS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR THE PERIOD AND NOT JUST SOMETHING ADDED LATER. THE BLADE IS WELL MADE AND CORRECT EXCEPT FOR ITS LARGE SIZE SO ITS NOT LIKELY A BATTLE PICK UP BUT A SPECIAL COMISSION. VERY NICE

1st February 2014, 01:26 AM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Very impressive. I love the clamshell pommel.

1st February 2014, 02:50 AM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,126	Impressive indeed. Just a note that either this is not the original hilt or at least the baca-baca have been changed. The sheath seems to fit like a glove so i would image that it was indeed made specifically for this blade. The blade may be older than all the rest though. It's original intention may have been as a parade weapon or perhaps it was made for a very large man, but it seems to have found its way to being a parade blade none the less considering the suassa and clamshell. I wouldn't imaging that the American coins point to it being for an American. Dimes would not be considered a valuable token by an American, they are common and of low denomination, but they could more likely gain some kind of talismanic nature by a local Moro. Nice find Dave!

1st February 2014, 08:07 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	Ok I hate to be the buzz kill but all of it appears to me to be of later origin. The blade has pointed luks (curves), the baka-baka clamps are 1960s style (as David mentioned), and the scabbard is 1950s in style. As far as mounts are concerned, the ferrule and top mount remind me of 1960s and later work. This all being said, it is possible that this was indeed made for a datu, but in more recent years. Also good clamshell is hard to find.

2nd February 2014, 03:32 AM	#7
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	Jose: I guess I need some schooling on what constitutes a 1950s style of baka-baka, Obviously I have seen many later styles of clamps that are very thin and not of very high quality. But this piece when in the hand, the clamps don't look any different than many much older ones that we own. Just have no idea what a 50s style looks like, aside from the easily identified tourist pieces.........Dave.