Later-era saber kris for comment

xasterix · 13th August 2023, 08:28 AM

Hello, would just like to check if anyone in the forum has a provenanced sample of this particular saber kris type. I believe this iteration was made later on (WW2 era to even postWW2). It is monosteel, and the construction of the blade is mono (no separate gangya). I'm inclined to think this was made in Mindanao.

When I got it, I realized the detached hilt and asang-asang didn't belong to the kris, but probably sourced from another. The tang and clamp attachment cannot fit into the hilt, and the discrepancy is so large that I'm inclined to think the non-fit is NOT due to shrinkage. I decided to have a modern Maranao hilt made, and attached a vintage brass ferrule that I got from a dilapidated Maranao kris. I didn't attach an asang-asang anymore because it was mono-construction anyway, and the carved art extends into the "vacant" area for the clamp.

The blade measures 21in, and it's springy (as I expected monosteel to be) and heavy. I think this is definitely a battle kris, and not simply for adornment.

TIA for your comments!

David · 13th August 2023, 03:43 PM

Interesting kris. I think this is well past the WWII era. Probably 1950-60s.
While i have no doubt it would make a handy weapon and all kinds of fighting has taken place in the Philippines since WWII i'm not sure i would classify this as a "battle kris". Doesn't mean it never saw action though.

Rick · 13th August 2023, 11:51 PM

I have a kris with decoration like this; I'd love to know what decade these embellishments became popular and whether they were used within the culture or just for the souvenir trade.

xasterix · 14th August 2023, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I have a kris with decoration like this; I'd love to know what decade these embellishments became popular and whether they were used within the culture or just for the souvenir trade.

Same thoughts sir! I'll try backtracking on similarly-engraved items on Worthpoint...hopefully one of those would have provenance.

Ian · 14th August 2023, 06:33 AM

i also have a regular kris blade with the same decoration and without a hilt. I had a panabas blade also with this decoration, and I think I've seen a Moro spear head also with the same style of incised decoration.

I agree with David, probably mid-20th C (1950s, 1960s).

The metal from which my kris is constructed is a light color and appeared "soft" from the manner in which it had been incised. That made me wonder whether it was aluminum or an alloy.

The okir on mine reminds me of Maranao work.

xasterix · 14th August 2023, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

i also have a regular kris blade with the same decoration and without a hilt. I had a panabas blade also with this decoration, and I think I've seen a Moro spear head also with the same style of incised decoration.

I agree with David, probably mid-20th C (1950s, 1960s).

The metal from which my kris is constructed is a light color and appeared "soft" from the manner in which it had been incised. That made me wonder whether it was aluminum or an alloy.

The okir on mine reminds me of Maranao work.

Thanks for this data Ian! I agree that the origin of such engraved blades is likely a Maranao or Maguindanao area. Mine is also "soft" but retains an edge pretty well; when I etched it, it turned dark all over, so I was guessing it was at least mono-hardened.

xasterix · 14th August 2023, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Interesting kris. I think this is well past the WWII era. Probably 1950-60s.
While i have no doubt it would make a handy weapon and all kinds of fighting has taken place in the Philippines since WWII i'm not sure i would classify this as a "battle kris". Doesn't mean it never saw action though.

Thanks for the assessment sir!

13th August 2023, 08:28 AM	#1
xasterix Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 629	Later-era saber kris for comment Hello, would just like to check if anyone in the forum has a provenanced sample of this particular saber kris type. I believe this iteration was made later on (WW2 era to even postWW2). It is monosteel, and the construction of the blade is mono (no separate gangya). I'm inclined to think this was made in Mindanao. When I got it, I realized the detached hilt and asang-asang didn't belong to the kris, but probably sourced from another. The tang and clamp attachment cannot fit into the hilt, and the discrepancy is so large that I'm inclined to think the non-fit is NOT due to shrinkage. I decided to have a modern Maranao hilt made, and attached a vintage brass ferrule that I got from a dilapidated Maranao kris. I didn't attach an asang-asang anymore because it was mono-construction anyway, and the carved art extends into the "vacant" area for the clamp. The blade measures 21in, and it's springy (as I expected monosteel to be) and heavy. I think this is definitely a battle kris, and not simply for adornment. TIA for your comments! Attached Images Last edited by xasterix; 13th August 2023 at 09:20 AM.

13th August 2023, 03:43 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,064	Interesting kris. I think this is well past the WWII era. Probably 1950-60s. While i have no doubt it would make a handy weapon and all kinds of fighting has taken place in the Philippines since WWII i'm not sure i would classify this as a "battle kris". Doesn't mean it never saw action though.

13th August 2023, 11:51 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,276	I have a kris with decoration like this; I'd love to know what decade these embellishments became popular and whether they were used within the culture or just for the souvenir trade.

14th August 2023, 06:33 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,117	i also have a regular kris blade with the same decoration and without a hilt. I had a panabas blade also with this decoration, and I think I've seen a Moro spear head also with the same style of incised decoration. I agree with David, probably mid-20th C (1950s, 1960s). The metal from which my kris is constructed is a light color and appeared "soft" from the manner in which it had been incised. That made me wonder whether it was aluminum or an alloy. The okir on mine reminds me of Maranao work.