Moro keris ID

Ascalon · 18th April 2009, 10:47 AM

I bought recemment two moro keris, the first one look fine but I find the 2nd have a little size.the blade is cm. 44, approximately incs 16,9.
Can help me to identify these keris both, and in particular the 2nd.

1

2

Thanks

kai · 19th April 2009, 12:47 AM

Congrats, #1 looks like a sweet 19th c. piece with a diminutive ivory pommel! Could you please post dimensions of the blade and a close-up of its base (taken from directly above - not at an angle)? I like the fullered blade - definitely worth trying a mild etch. The hilt has nice silverwork features; the braiding shows a bit of wear which apparently has been fixed with some glue (probably in recent times). No problem, just be a bit careful when handling this nice piece!

#2 seems to be a genuine Moro kris with laminated blade. I believe the blade is from Sulu and (possibly early) 20th century; workmanship may point to a local, village-made piece. The laminations at the tip are not typical: I think the length may be due to a shortened blade. The glue at the base of the hilt as well as the non-standard attachment/repair of the asang-asang (aluminium?) may hint at a recent "restoration" or even redone hilt or pommel. The pommel is weird (only vaguely resembling late 19th c. Junggayan hilts from Sulu) and the use of this style as well as ivory IMVHO doesn't seem to fit the lower quality of the blade; also the rattan wrap is later and was probably done when attaching the current pommel.

Regards,
Kai

Rick · 19th April 2009, 01:06 AM

The fiber wrap on this short one reminds me of tarred Italian Marline; often found in a sailor's ditty bag; it may all be newer stuff also .

Number 1 is nice .

migueldiaz · 19th April 2009, 02:59 PM

Nice krisses! especially no. 1.

The style of the braiding and silverwork of no. 1 look very similar to the capture piece displayed at the US Military Academy's West Point Museum ...

Battara · 19th April 2009, 11:16 PM

I agree with Kai on everything so far.

In fact, the 2nd kris reminded me of this early to mid 20c puppy:

www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=1565

The blade of the 2nd could be Maguindanao.

Ascalon · 21st April 2009, 03:30 PM

Thanks for comments and the pic of west point museum.
Emmanuel

19th April 2009, 02:59 PM	#4
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Nice krisses! especially no. 1. The style of the braiding and silverwork of no. 1 look very similar to the capture piece displayed at the US Military Academy's West Point Museum ... Attached Images

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18th April 2009, 10:47 AM	#1
Ascalon Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France Posts: 45	Moro keris ID I bought recemment two moro keris, the first one look fine but I find the 2nd have a little size.the blade is cm. 44, approximately incs 16,9. Can help me to identify these keris both, and in particular the 2nd. 1 2 Thanks

19th April 2009, 12:47 AM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Congrats, #1 looks like a sweet 19th c. piece with a diminutive ivory pommel! Could you please post dimensions of the blade and a close-up of its base (taken from directly above - not at an angle)? I like the fullered blade - definitely worth trying a mild etch. The hilt has nice silverwork features; the braiding shows a bit of wear which apparently has been fixed with some glue (probably in recent times). No problem, just be a bit careful when handling this nice piece! #2 seems to be a genuine Moro kris with laminated blade. I believe the blade is from Sulu and (possibly early) 20th century; workmanship may point to a local, village-made piece. The laminations at the tip are not typical: I think the length may be due to a shortened blade. The glue at the base of the hilt as well as the non-standard attachment/repair of the asang-asang (aluminium?) may hint at a recent "restoration" or even redone hilt or pommel. The pommel is weird (only vaguely resembling late 19th c. Junggayan hilts from Sulu) and the use of this style as well as ivory IMVHO doesn't seem to fit the lower quality of the blade; also the rattan wrap is later and was probably done when attaching the current pommel. Regards, Kai

19th April 2009, 01:06 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,301	The fiber wrap on this short one reminds me of tarred Italian Marline; often found in a sailor's ditty bag; it may all be newer stuff also . Number 1 is nice .

19th April 2009, 11:16 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,240	I agree with Kai on everything so far. In fact, the 2nd kris reminded me of this early to mid 20c puppy: www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=1565 The blade of the 2nd could be Maguindanao.

21st April 2009, 03:30 PM	#6
Ascalon Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France Posts: 45	Thanks for comments and the pic of west point museum. Emmanuel