Cord Wrap Kris

[Jerseyman]

A Philippine kris, but not sure exactly from which region or people.

It seems to have been possibly re-hilted, or at the very least re-gripped. It has a very simple, but surprisingly subtly shaped pommel when you examine it 360º

It's hard to tell in the pictures, but I think the gangya might be separate to the blade. Very tightly fitted, but if you look at the dropped end there is the smallest notch visible.

The blade has either a snake (?) or trident (?) engraved on each face. The blade is laminated. No scabbard unfortunately.

Apologies for the picture quality.

Dimensions

Length 70cm
Blade length 55cm
Blade width 4 > 3cm
Gangya 12cm x 1cm x 0.6cm
Hilt 15cm x 4cm x 6.5cm

[David]

The blade looks very probably late 19th-early 20th century, possibly Maguindanao. The hilt and the wrap seem untraditional and may have been made by someone outside of the culture, or at least someone inexperienced or unskilled at make a kakatau hilt. The wood does seem to have some age to it though. Hard to say when it was added.

[kai]

Yup, not a traditional hilt.

Blade certainly has a separate gangya.

Regards,
Kai

[RobT]

Hi Jerseyman,

Based on the one piece baca baca, I think your kris is late 19th to early 20th century. This one piece design is more sturdy and effective at its job than the two piece design. They are so superior that you never see two one piece baca baca on the same kris (at least I haven't). These one piece baca baca are seen on kris with tightly fitted ganja or on one piece blades. I think these changes were an effort to fashion kris that were able to take more torque on impact without loosening up.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by David

The blade looks very probably late 19th-early 20th century, possibly Maguindanao. The hilt and the wrap seem untraditional and may have been made by someone outside of the culture, or at least someone inexperienced or unskilled at make a kakatau hilt. The wood does seem to have some age to it though. Hard to say when it was added.

There are many hulu varieties found on these types.

I see the plain nature of the one presented to have some age. I don't feel as old as the blade though.

I do however feel, that given there is decent age to timber surface, and there is a vast variety of hulu found, that this cord wrapped one sits in the most basic visual terms, between the known and expected Kakatau form and this example attached.

The how and why is beyond me, but I suspect there are many cultural aspects, minorities and mythological interpretations lost through time and the development of the more modern world post WWII.... you only have to see a couple of the odd pommel types from the Frey collection to see the diversity in Kris hulu.

Perhaps the Forum's much more learned students could perhaps comment on the Katik similarities seen on both of these to draw regional insights to what might be seen in the simplistic hulu?

[Ian]

I agree with the assessment that this is a late 19th C style Maguidanao kris with an atypical hilt. The manner of wrapping the hilt with thin rings of woven rattan looks very much like mainland SE Asian work, similar to what is seen on some dha/daab. The simple "kakatua" pommel is well carved but could have been made from a drawing or photograph by someone well outside the origina Moro culture, which may explain its departure from the norm.

[Rick]

I believe the wrap is one piece of braided material rather than thin rings Ian.
If you look closely at the wrap you can see the lump caused by this style of braided cord running beneath the wrapping; plus there is a hole drilled to accept the end of the wrap at the base of the hilt. I'd be willing to bet this work was done way out of the culture it came from.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Rick

I believe the wrap is one piece of braided material rather than thin rings Ian.
If you look closely at the wrap you can see the lump caused by this style of braided cord running beneath the wrapping; plus there is a hole drilled to accept the end of the wrap at the base of the hilt. I'd be willing to bet this work was done way out of the culture it came from.

It is indeed one single wrap... I'm no expert on paracord... someone might be able to place the cord... Post WWII wrap I suspect....

[wildwolberine]

Originally Posted by Gavin Nugent

It is indeed one single wrap... I'm no expert on paracord... someone might be able to place the cord... Post WWII wrap I suspect....

Looks like braided cotton or nylon twine (probably cotton)?

[Jerseyman]

Thank you all. It's good to have a clearer attribution. All of the weapons we look at have such individual journeys, and like all useful tools are often repaired and repurposed. I find the strange mongrels just as fascinating as the purebreds sitting clearly within their cultural context.

[Gavin Nugent]

Perhaps worth noting, as I see it anyway... Woolley in his work presents many line drawings. One showing the typical lines of the classic pommel most expect to find on the Kris, another showing the Jungayan Datu type, and another very akin to this style presented above, and another simpler less common design that I think Frey had in his collection.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Jerseyman

Thank you all. It's good to have a clearer attribution. All of the weapons we look at have such individual journeys, and like all useful tools are often repaired and repurposed. I find the strange mongrels just as fascinating as the purebreds sitting clearly within their cultural context.

Well said!

I agree.