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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 98
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Hello,
Not my area of collecting but picked this up as part of a random auction lot with some other non related items. From my limited understanding this is a Moro Kris from Mindanao. This one interestingly has etched on the blade and written very lightly on the sheath the name KEYS (surname) with what I think is a service number V 08306218. I think this world be WW2 but can't trace this number. 8 digits would be British but the V is often a prefix on Australian service number. Enlistment being in the state of Victoria. Back to the Kris.I think it would be from the 1940s? Really don't know. The blade has twist core. The blade is 48.5cm. Total 63cm. The scabbard is varnished and unfortunately cracked - recent damage. kris has some rust but no damage. I have since been told it is a nice old Moro Sundang Kris 19th C. Thanks for comments in advance. Last edited by RAMBA; 28th April 2019 at 09:44 PM. |
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#2 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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Actually this needs to go to the Ethno Forum and not the Keris Forum. Moderators please move this.
Now to your questions: 1. I would place this kris into the very early 1800s. 2. Maguindanao would be my guess on tribal origins. 3. The scabbard is unusual and not a common Maguindanao form. A very nice piece especially with that great twist core! |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,249
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I agree with Jose that this blade is a really good catch!
Based on the flow of lines and surface condition, I'd be inclined to place the blade at mid-19th century to Span-Am war period rather than any earlier. There is a good chance that the narrow engraved lines once had silver inlay; however, the motif close to the tip was a bit crudely cut. Maybe there is no undercut for better retention of any inlay? The scabbard seems to be a later replacement which might be consistent with a WWII scenario. I'd try to remove the varnish after carefully glueing the recent crack (traditional wood glue, possibly with a de-oiling step for tropical woods; I reckon the wood is not really heavy hardwood though?). BTW, aren't the service numbers from Victoria accessible? Regards, Kai Last edited by kai; 29th April 2019 at 12:01 PM. |
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#4 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 98
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I have done my best to use wood glue and have glued up the cracks - solid now and the kris can go in and out without the scabbard flexing. My PM should be working as I have just had a PM from someone else. |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 98
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The scabbard seems to be a later replacement which might be consistent with a WWII scenario. I'd try to remove the varnish after carefully glueing the recent crack (traditional wood glue, possibly with a de-oiling step for tropical woods; I reckon the wood is not really heavy hardwood though?).
Very light wood. BTW, aren't the service numbers from Victoria accessible? I'm trying to find out. I normally find this out fast as I have attributed a number of kukri to service men when a number is no a scabbard etc. |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 478
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That was a great score on a random lot. Unless the other not related items where a Lamborghini or a gold bar I'd say this is the star of the lot.
![]() Yes, everything said about it is true as to age, sheath(not original) and the inlays were definitely silver. |
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#7 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,085
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Damn! Some folks have all the luck. I would say this is a highly desirable piece indeed for kris collectors and your are quite lucky to have stumbled upon it.
I'm with Kai. More likely mid-19th century than earlier. I would say that definitely the kakatau pommel and possible the entire hilt is a later replacement though. Great score though! |
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#8 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 98
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I will probably be letting it go in a month or two. Not my area of collecting. |
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#9 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 1,855
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Yes!...a lovely blade, indeed! Like Battara said the scabbard is unusual for about any Moro area, and I have to wonder if it is later to the sword, which would not be unusual at all.
Last edited by CharlesS; 30th April 2019 at 12:15 PM. |
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#10 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 98
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#11 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 98
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