Moro Pira

imas560 · 8th August 2013, 06:24 AM

Hello all,
thought I would share photos of a Pira that I received today.

"Hilt is complete and made of horn. The blade is forged and shows signs of lamenations. The scabbard is intact and in good condition. The sword and hilt is 26.25" long. Sword and scabbard is 30" long. "

Any insights you could provide (i.e. age) etc would be greatly appreciated.
thanks

VANDOO · 8th August 2013, 04:53 PM

IT LOOKS LIKE A NICE OLDER ONE AND IS UNUSUAL IN HAVING A SCABBARD AND THE BLADE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN USUAL IN SHAPE. THE HORN HANDLE IS LESS COMMON ON OLDER ONES, MOST I HAVE SEEN HAD WOOD HANDLES. A GOOD ONE IN THE OLDER FORM COMPLEAT WITH SCABBARD CONGRADULATIONS.

Spunjer · 8th August 2013, 07:15 PM

Excellent gasah, imas! definitely an older piece! rare to have scabbard with these pieces. does the scabbard fit perfectly? possible that it might not be original to the blade itself, but that don't matter, really. just the scabbards alone are even rarer...
what i find interesting is the floral pattern engraved on the handle. it looks strikingly similar to the ones found on ilonggo blades. nice catch on this!

Sajen · 8th August 2013, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

what i find interesting is the floral pattern engraved on the handle. it looks strikingly similar to the ones found on ilonggo blades. nice catch on this!

Yes, it's the catmoon flower found on scabbards from the Visayas.

Nice pira and great to have the scabbard!

Regards,

Detlef

imas560 · 8th August 2013, 10:16 PM

thanks all for posting

Spunjer · 8th August 2013, 10:21 PM

Not too be picky, Detlef, but it's spelled Katmon . I'm well aware it's a common motif among Visayan blades, but to see something strikingly similar on a sundang indigenous to Basilan is what intrigues me...
Imas, is it possible to get a close up of that decoration?

Robert · 8th August 2013, 11:39 PM

Great pira Imas569, I hope you don't mind my posting this blow-up of the design on the hilt. I had already done this to get a better look at it (because of my aging vision) before Spunjer requested one.

Best,
Robert

Sajen · 9th August 2013, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

Not too be picky, Detlef, but it's spelled Katmon . I'm well aware it's a common motif among Visayan blades, but to see something strikingly similar on a sundang indigenous to Basilan is what intrigues me...
Imas, is it possible to get a close up of that decoration?

You are correct, my mistake!

Yesterday we have had day of the cat, maybe this have been the reason of my misspelling.

8th August 2013, 06:24 AM	#1
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	Moro Pira Hello all, thought I would share photos of a Pira that I received today. "Hilt is complete and made of horn. The blade is forged and shows signs of lamenations. The scabbard is intact and in good condition. The sword and hilt is 26.25" long. Sword and scabbard is 30" long. " Any insights you could provide (i.e. age) etc would be greatly appreciated. thanks Attached Images

8th August 2013, 11:39 PM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Great pira Imas569, I hope you don't mind my posting this blow-up of the design on the hilt. I had already done this to get a better look at it (because of my aging vision) before Spunjer requested one. Best, Robert Attached Images

8th August 2013, 04:53 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IT LOOKS LIKE A NICE OLDER ONE AND IS UNUSUAL IN HAVING A SCABBARD AND THE BLADE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN USUAL IN SHAPE. THE HORN HANDLE IS LESS COMMON ON OLDER ONES, MOST I HAVE SEEN HAD WOOD HANDLES. A GOOD ONE IN THE OLDER FORM COMPLEAT WITH SCABBARD CONGRADULATIONS.

8th August 2013, 07:15 PM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Excellent gasah, imas! definitely an older piece! rare to have scabbard with these pieces. does the scabbard fit perfectly? possible that it might not be original to the blade itself, but that don't matter, really. just the scabbards alone are even rarer... what i find interesting is the floral pattern engraved on the handle. it looks strikingly similar to the ones found on ilonggo blades. nice catch on this!

8th August 2013, 10:16 PM	#5
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	thanks all for posting

8th August 2013, 10:21 PM	#6
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Not too be picky, Detlef, but it's spelled Katmon . I'm well aware it's a common motif among Visayan blades, but to see something strikingly similar on a sundang indigenous to Basilan is what intrigues me... Imas, is it possible to get a close up of that decoration?