IVORY POMMEL MORO KRIS FOR ID PLEASE

[Ian]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

On the second larger kriss I am noticing one uniquely angular luk close to the forte. I don't think that I have ever seen that in combination with more traditional "rounded" luks.

Hi Charles:

That feature is found sometimes on c. 1900 and later kris, generally the larger and heavier varieties from Mindanao. The one shown here seems to be Maranao in origin if we go by the guide provided by Cato.

Ian.

[shayde78]

I would say Mat did very well at his local auction

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Charles:

That feature is found sometimes on c. 1900 and later kris, generally the larger and heavier varieties from Mindanao. The one shown here seems to be Maranao in origin if we go by the guide provided by Cato.

Ian.

Ian,

Def agree on the Maranao origins. Thanks for the insight on the "odd" luk. I was aware they were found on later kriss swords, but I am not sure I have even seen that angle luk in combination with more "traditional" ones.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Ian,

Def agree on the Maranao origins. Thanks for the insight on the "odd" luk. I was aware they were found on later kriss swords, but I am not sure I have even seen that angle luk in combination with more "traditional" ones.

Yep, combination of the single sharp terminus and smoothly waved luk are found on some Mindanao kris of that period.

[Ian]

Charles,

Here is Figure 47 from Cato's book Moro Swords. Another example of what we have been talking about is shown on the far right. Again, this appears to be a Maranao kris of about the same vintage as the one above that we have discussed. By way of contrast, in the same figure a wavy-bladed Sulu kris shows a smoother luk in the same place. The other examples I recall have been Mindanao kris also.

There is a further example—also Maranao—on Erik's Edge web site, but it is currently for sale and I will not say anything further (per Forum policy).

Ian.


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[David]

All my collection is still in boxes, but my very first kris, the one that began my obsession with blades from this region the eventually migrated to Indonesian keris, has this feature of a sharp luk right near the base. I would date it to around the turn to the 20th Century.