Malay keris in WW II service?

David · 19th May 2009, 03:37 PM

Well Greybeard, i am afraid that no matter how accurate your worded description it's not really possible to give you any useful feedback without detailed images. Even then we are limited as holding a keris in hand can reveal aspects of it that photos do not, but at least with photos we can get an idea of what we are talking about. Perhaps you have a friend with a better computer that would allow you to upload.

What do you mean exactly when you ask if it is possible that the keris was "used" during WWII? Do you mean as a weapon of war? If so i would think that highly doubtful. By this time the keris didn't see too much use as a physical weapon anymore. As for the execution story, the keris panjang is generally consider to be an execution keris, though it was much more a matter of status than a blade used for regular executions. In other words, if you carried such a keris it generally meant that you had the authority to perform execution, not you you actually did it. It has a very long, slender, usually straight blade. The exection done with these keris was performed by driving the blade downward through the top of the shoulder into the heart while the arms of the condemned were held out-stretched. I do not know when this type of execution was last performed or if it is possible that such exections took place as late as WWII. Perhaps someone else has more information. It does seem from your description that your keris is not a keris panjang.

BluErf · 19th May 2009, 05:36 PM

Hi Greybeard,

I think its not possible to answer your question on how kerises might have been used during WWII. I guess it really depends on how the owner wants to use it. I heard in recent times, some guy tried to use a keris to open a lidded tin, and snapped the tip of the keris.

But from the description you have made, I doubt it is a Malay blade at all. Even corrosion is a sign of artificial aging. Nagas - hmm... we've seen lots of new made kerises with nagas carved into them. And the claim that it is an execution keris - well, I guess if it can cut, it can kill.

But seriously, execution by keris is usually done using keris panjang (a form of long keris), and reserved for high status people.

19th May 2009, 05:36 PM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hi Greybeard, I think its not possible to answer your question on how kerises might have been used during WWII. I guess it really depends on how the owner wants to use it. I heard in recent times, some guy tried to use a keris to open a lidded tin, and snapped the tip of the keris. But from the description you have made, I doubt it is a Malay blade at all. Even corrosion is a sign of artificial aging. Nagas - hmm... we've seen lots of new made kerises with nagas carved into them. And the claim that it is an execution keris - well, I guess if it can cut, it can kill. But seriously, execution by keris is usually done using keris panjang (a form of long keris), and reserved for high status people. Last edited by BluErf; 19th May 2009 at 05:44 PM. Reason: Didn't read earlier replies properly

19th May 2009, 03:37 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	Well Greybeard, i am afraid that no matter how accurate your worded description it's not really possible to give you any useful feedback without detailed images. Even then we are limited as holding a keris in hand can reveal aspects of it that photos do not, but at least with photos we can get an idea of what we are talking about. Perhaps you have a friend with a better computer that would allow you to upload. What do you mean exactly when you ask if it is possible that the keris was "used" during WWII? Do you mean as a weapon of war? If so i would think that highly doubtful. By this time the keris didn't see too much use as a physical weapon anymore. As for the execution story, the keris panjang is generally consider to be an execution keris, though it was much more a matter of status than a blade used for regular executions. In other words, if you carried such a keris it generally meant that you had the authority to perform execution, not you you actually did it. It has a very long, slender, usually straight blade. The exection done with these keris was performed by driving the blade downward through the top of the shoulder into the heart while the arms of the condemned were held out-stretched. I do not know when this type of execution was last performed or if it is possible that such exections took place as late as WWII. Perhaps someone else has more information. It does seem from your description that your keris is not a keris panjang.