Threaded full length tang on a Moro kris

[Ian]

This is a rather nice 19th C Moro kris (probably Maguindanao) that has had an interesting repair at some time. The pommel has a section cut out on the top and a large screw nut is visible. This suggested a threaded tang underneath, so I persuaded my friendly veterinarian to allow me to use his X-ray machine again to get a better look at the tang.

Tha attached pictures show the sword and an X-ray of the hilt. The X-ray reveals a full length tang and a threaded end to which the nut has been attached. Only about 3 cm of the original tang seems to remain. On top of it has been welded an iron rod, bent to conform to the hilt's shape, and threaded in its last few centimetres. An unusual repair for a broken tang on a kris.

At one time the sword had two asang asang, but only the support strips on either side of the hilt remain. Perhaps the stirrups were lost during the repair of the tang.
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