F. de Luzon's Moro Kris Collection

F. de Luzon · 31st December 2016, 12:12 PM

Hello everyone! I am new to this forum and I am sharing pictures of the best of my Moro kris/kalis collection. Please feel free to make comments.

I started my collection only recently so I'm not an expert but I've learned a lot reading discussions on this forum.

I would greatly appreciate any information you can tell me about these swords. I also hope you will enjoy viewing my modest collection.

F. de Luzon

David · 31st December 2016, 08:25 PM

Well, i will just say that you seem to have gotten off to a magnificent start for a Moro kris collection. These all seem to be pretty good examples a few various styles. I especially like the second one down.

F. de Luzon · 1st January 2017, 12:17 AM

Thank you David! I spent many hours reading about the Moro kris on the internet and primarily in this forum. I learned from the "triumphs," mistakes, and most specially, the insights of members of this group. In light of your positive comment, I am proud to say that I was educated on the vikingsword.com Ethnographic Weapons Forum! :-)

I know that the examples in my collection are not perfect but these are the best that I could find. What follows is a description of each blade.

#1 The first one is a heavy laminated half wavy blade with a separate gangya, single brass stirrup, jungayan hilt and ivory kakatua pommel. The scabbard is made of wood with three bands of white brass. The blade shows signs of decorative/talismanic etching which has seriously deteriorated (almost completely erased) due to rust and pitting.

#2 The second is a straight blade (not etched) kris with a separate gangya, single stirrup, corded hilt with a silver end ring and kakatua pommel. The scabbard is made of wood with three bands of white brass decorated with okir.

#3 The third is a 13 luk laminated blade with separate gangya, two brass stirrups, a silver hilt and banati wood octagonal horse hoof pommel. On the scabbard: the wrangka is inlaid tortoise shell, the middle section wrapped with vine (nito vine?) and the buntut is also inlaid tortoise shell.

#4 The fourth is a 17 luk laminated kris with separate gangya and brass stirrups. The hilt is corded and the kakatua pommel is possibly made of rhinoceros horn (according to the ebay dealer and yet to be verified).

Happy New Year!

F. de Luzon

F. de Luzon · 1st January 2017, 02:04 AM

Here are bigger pictures.

DaveS · 1st January 2017, 04:05 AM

Excellent examples. A++. Unfortunately, even average moro pieces, in the not too distant future might be hard to find...........Dave.

VANDOO · 1st January 2017, 04:48 AM

4 NICE KRIS ALL KEEPERS IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE OFF TO A GOOD START. MY FAVORITES ARE #2 BECAUSE OF THE FINE WORKMANSHIP ON THE BLADE AND #3. I LIKE THE INLAY WORK AND THE ANTING ANTING CLOTH ON THE SCABBARD. CLOSE UPS OF THE METAL WORK ON #2 AND THE INLAY AT THE TOP AND TIP OF THE SCABBARD ON #3 WOULD BE COOL. MOST LIKELY THE HORN USED ON THE POMMEL OF #4 IS WATER BUFFALO BUT YOU CAN NEVER TELL PERHAPS A GOOD WELL LIGHTED CLOSE- UP OF THAT MAY HELP FIND AN ANSWER. A NICE COLLECTION KEEP IT UP.

F. de Luzon · 1st January 2017, 09:26 AM

Thank you for your comments, DaveS and VANDOO!

F. de Luzon · 1st January 2017, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

4 NICE KRIS ALL KEEPERS IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE OFF TO A GOOD START. MY FAVORITES ARE #2 BECAUSE OF THE FINE WORKMANSHIP ON THE BLADE AND #3. I LIKE THE INLAY WORK AND THE ANTING ANTING CLOTH ON THE SCABBARD. CLOSE UPS OF THE METAL WORK ON #2 AND THE INLAY AT THE TOP AND TIP OF THE SCABBARD ON #3 WOULD BE COOL. MOST LIKELY THE HORN USED ON THE POMMEL OF #4 IS WATER BUFFALO BUT YOU CAN NEVER TELL PERHAPS A GOOD WELL LIGHTED CLOSE- UP OF THAT MAY HELP FIND AN ANSWER. A NICE COLLECTION KEEP IT UP.

VANDOO, here are the close-ups of the metal work on #2, inlay on the top and tip of the scabbard of #3 and the pommel of #4. Thanks!

Sajen · 1st January 2017, 10:13 AM

Hello F. de Luzon,

nice pieces!

I like special the second blade, very nice piece. I think that the scabbards from the first and second piece are recent but nothing wrong by this. Like Barry (Vandoo) I doubt that the inlays at the scabbard by the third kris from tortoise shell, I think they are from thin carved buffalo horn. What do you mean with "nito vine"? I would call it rattan.

And I also doubt that the pommel from the last piece is from rhino horn, most probable again buffalo horn. Can you post close ups from this pommel?

Also to you a Happy New Year!

Best regards,
Detlef

F. de Luzon · 1st January 2017, 03:21 PM

Thank you Detlef! I bought the first three from the same antique dealer and I was told that the blades are pre-1930s but the scabbards are from the 1950s.

The scabbard with inlay (#3) is said to be distinct to the Tausug of Sulu. I was told that it is made of tortoise shell but I can see that carabao horn is also a probability. A portion of the center of the back of the wrangka was chipped and lifted when I bought it, so I repaired it using a knife and sandpaper. I noticed that the material is layered and fibrous. Although I am not an expert, the shavings/chips did not feel like horn which makes tortoise shell a probability. I will post detailed close-ups and I hope you can help me identify the material. I might eventually approach an expert to examine and determine the material scientifically.

Nito is a vine found in the hinterlands of Mindanao, Philippines which is used for handicrafts. I brought the scabbard to a nito handicrafts manufacturer but upon comparing, it turned out to be a finer material than the kind of nito they are using. The manufacturer could not identify it and said that it could be a variety endemic to the island of Sulu.

Regarding the pommel of #4, again carabao horn is a probability. I will post close-ups from various angles and again, I hope you can help me identify the material.

All the best,

F. de Luzon

F. de Luzon · 1st January 2017, 03:33 PM

Close up of details of #1

Jungayan hilt
Ivory pommel
faded etching

F. de Luzon · 1st January 2017, 03:36 PM

Close up of details of #2:

Metal Work, hilt and pommel.
Pommel details. Is it wood?

F. de Luzon · 1st January 2017, 03:38 PM

Close up of details of #3:

Wrangka, inlaid front and plain back

Buntut, inlaid front and plain back

F. de Luzon · 1st January 2017, 03:42 PM

Close up of details of #4:

Pommel from various angles. What kind of horn is it?

kai · 1st January 2017, 05:08 PM

Very nice presentation, F! Please also add putatively "lesser" pieces as often enough much can be learned from those, too.

Those 4 examples all look like good, antique blades to me - congrats! Did you source all from within the PI? (All 3 scabbards appear to be post-WW2, with the first 2 of quite recent manufacture as suggested by the other forumites already.)

I'm with Detlef that the hilt #4 is from water buffalo as well as probably the scabbard #3 (the metal on the latter is aluminium, I assume?).

Could you please post close-ups of the base of the blade (and pommel, too)?
I'd suggest discussing each of these pieces in dedicated threads for in-depth analysis - otherwise it will get confusing in no time...

Regards,
Kai

1st January 2017, 03:33 PM	#11
F. de Luzon Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 184	Close ups #1 Close up of details of #1 Jungayan hilt Ivory pommel faded etching Attached Images

1st January 2017, 03:36 PM	#12
F. de Luzon Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 184	Close ups #2 Close up of details of #2: Metal Work, hilt and pommel. Pommel details. Is it wood? Attached Images

1st January 2017, 03:38 PM	#13
F. de Luzon Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 184	Close ups #3 Close up of details of #3: Wrangka, inlaid front and plain back Buntut, inlaid front and plain back Attached Images

1st January 2017, 03:42 PM	#14
F. de Luzon Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 184	Close ups #4 Close up of details of #4: Pommel from various angles. What kind of horn is it? Attached Images

31st December 2016, 12:12 PM	#1
F. de Luzon Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 184	F. de Luzon's Moro Kris Collection Hello everyone! I am new to this forum and I am sharing pictures of the best of my Moro kris/kalis collection. Please feel free to make comments. I started my collection only recently so I'm not an expert but I've learned a lot reading discussions on this forum. I would greatly appreciate any information you can tell me about these swords. I also hope you will enjoy viewing my modest collection. F. de Luzon Attached Images

31st December 2016, 08:25 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,113	Well, i will just say that you seem to have gotten off to a magnificent start for a Moro kris collection. These all seem to be pretty good examples a few various styles. I especially like the second one down.

1st January 2017, 12:17 AM	#3
F. de Luzon Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 184	Thank you David! I spent many hours reading about the Moro kris on the internet and primarily in this forum. I learned from the "triumphs," mistakes, and most specially, the insights of members of this group. In light of your positive comment, I am proud to say that I was educated on the vikingsword.com Ethnographic Weapons Forum! :-) I know that the examples in my collection are not perfect but these are the best that I could find. What follows is a description of each blade. #1 The first one is a heavy laminated half wavy blade with a separate gangya, single brass stirrup, jungayan hilt and ivory kakatua pommel. The scabbard is made of wood with three bands of white brass. The blade shows signs of decorative/talismanic etching which has seriously deteriorated (almost completely erased) due to rust and pitting. #2 The second is a straight blade (not etched) kris with a separate gangya, single stirrup, corded hilt with a silver end ring and kakatua pommel. The scabbard is made of wood with three bands of white brass decorated with okir. #3 The third is a 13 luk laminated blade with separate gangya, two brass stirrups, a silver hilt and banati wood octagonal horse hoof pommel. On the scabbard: the wrangka is inlaid tortoise shell, the middle section wrapped with vine (nito vine?) and the buntut is also inlaid tortoise shell. #4 The fourth is a 17 luk laminated kris with separate gangya and brass stirrups. The hilt is corded and the kakatua pommel is possibly made of rhinoceros horn (according to the ebay dealer and yet to be verified). Happy New Year! F. de Luzon Last edited by F. de Luzon; 1st January 2017 at 03:00 PM.

1st January 2017, 02:04 AM	#4
F. de Luzon Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 184	Here are bigger pictures. Attached Images Last edited by F. de Luzon; 1st January 2017 at 12:58 PM.

1st January 2017, 04:05 AM	#5
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	Excellent examples. A++. Unfortunately, even average moro pieces, in the not too distant future might be hard to find...........Dave.

1st January 2017, 04:48 AM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	4 NICE KRIS ALL KEEPERS IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE OFF TO A GOOD START. MY FAVORITES ARE #2 BECAUSE OF THE FINE WORKMANSHIP ON THE BLADE AND #3. I LIKE THE INLAY WORK AND THE ANTING ANTING CLOTH ON THE SCABBARD. CLOSE UPS OF THE METAL WORK ON #2 AND THE INLAY AT THE TOP AND TIP OF THE SCABBARD ON #3 WOULD BE COOL. MOST LIKELY THE HORN USED ON THE POMMEL OF #4 IS WATER BUFFALO BUT YOU CAN NEVER TELL PERHAPS A GOOD WELL LIGHTED CLOSE- UP OF THAT MAY HELP FIND AN ANSWER. A NICE COLLECTION KEEP IT UP.

1st January 2017, 09:26 AM	#7
F. de Luzon Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 184	Thank you for your comments, DaveS and VANDOO!

1st January 2017, 10:13 AM	#9
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	Hello F. de Luzon, nice pieces! I like special the second blade, very nice piece. I think that the scabbards from the first and second piece are recent but nothing wrong by this. Like Barry (Vandoo) I doubt that the inlays at the scabbard by the third kris from tortoise shell, I think they are from thin carved buffalo horn. What do you mean with "nito vine"? I would call it rattan. And I also doubt that the pommel from the last piece is from rhino horn, most probable again buffalo horn. Can you post close ups from this pommel? Also to you a Happy New Year! Best regards, Detlef

1st January 2017, 03:21 PM	#10
F. de Luzon Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 184	Thank you Detlef! I bought the first three from the same antique dealer and I was told that the blades are pre-1930s but the scabbards are from the 1950s. The scabbard with inlay (#3) is said to be distinct to the Tausug of Sulu. I was told that it is made of tortoise shell but I can see that carabao horn is also a probability. A portion of the center of the back of the wrangka was chipped and lifted when I bought it, so I repaired it using a knife and sandpaper. I noticed that the material is layered and fibrous. Although I am not an expert, the shavings/chips did not feel like horn which makes tortoise shell a probability. I will post detailed close-ups and I hope you can help me identify the material. I might eventually approach an expert to examine and determine the material scientifically. Nito is a vine found in the hinterlands of Mindanao, Philippines which is used for handicrafts. I brought the scabbard to a nito handicrafts manufacturer but upon comparing, it turned out to be a finer material than the kind of nito they are using. The manufacturer could not identify it and said that it could be a variety endemic to the island of Sulu. Regarding the pommel of #4, again carabao horn is a probability. I will post close-ups from various angles and again, I hope you can help me identify the material. All the best, F. de Luzon

1st January 2017, 05:08 PM	#15
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Very nice presentation, F! Please also add putatively "lesser" pieces as often enough much can be learned from those, too. Those 4 examples all look like good, antique blades to me - congrats! Did you source all from within the PI? (All 3 scabbards appear to be post-WW2, with the first 2 of quite recent manufacture as suggested by the other forumites already.) I'm with Detlef that the hilt #4 is from water buffalo as well as probably the scabbard #3 (the metal on the latter is aluminium, I assume?). Could you please post close-ups of the base of the blade (and pommel, too)? I'd suggest discussing each of these pieces in dedicated threads for in-depth analysis - otherwise it will get confusing in no time... Regards, Kai