Looks like a good one?

[kai]

this mark {letters} is carved into the wood at the scabbard mouth.

Very likely carved in by a former non-Moro owner - perhaps a soldier?

[Tim Simmons]

Kai, the blade is 22" long and very fine. I have just had to spot some diluted PVA on the first cord knots near the blade as the cord there is showing signs of rot and two pieces have come apart. I think I have caught it in time. If I have to I will do the same all over the chords.

[Battara]

Nice puppy (thanks Bill )

Nice call Kai - I too think Maguindanao and late 19thc, although I will double check the "mouth" of the ganga just to make sure. I also think it is a battle kris and I agree that the silver ferrule is missing from the bottom. Repairs on the tangs were not unheard of at all - these were talked about on earlier posts.

All in all a nice piece (did I day puppy already? ).

[Tim Simmons]

Thank you for the very encouraging opinions. I do wonder on the tang repair? what ever it is it is really quite off centre, perhaps the tang does not go in the centre of the handle? I know I am new to these particular weapons but with respect, I am also unsure there was ever anything at the base of the handle. Here the rust on the clamps and most of all the patina of the wood from handling with no other ring marks seem to suggest it has been bare wood for some considerable time. Am I right in thinking that this weapon is wide spread including Moro land Philippines and Sulu Islands, parts of Borneo, and Malaya {Malaysia} The British had say in some of these areas. I know pieces do move around.

[kai]

Hello Tim,

I do wonder on the tang repair? what ever it is it is really quite off centre, perhaps the tang does not go in the centre of the handle?

The repair is pretty off centre and also shorter than I've seen before - one could guess that the tang wasn't completely broken. Short of x-raying your piece, you'll only know the construction for sure when you remove the hilt though (and you'd need to destroy the bindings to do so).

Here are 2 examples showing the usual repair method nicely:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...2&postcount=14
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...7&postcount=25

I know I am new to these particular weapons but with respect, I am also unsure there was ever anything at the base of the handle. Here the rust on the clamps and most of all the patina of the wood from handling with no other ring marks seem to suggest it has been bare wood for some considerable time.

Not necessarily: Often this was merely a thin sheet of silver rather than a sturdy ferrule.

Am I right in thinking that this weapon is wide spread including Moro land Philippines and Sulu Islands, parts of Borneo, and Malaya {Malaysia} The British had say in some of these areas. I know pieces do move around.

Your's is a fairly typical Moro example. These also show up from Malaysia and Indonesia, especially where seafaring Moro (mainly Tausug) had extensive trade contacts (including permanent settlements): Borneo, eastern Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, especially the Straits area. Probably initially based on Moro designs, keris sundang were also produced locally in these areas but these tend to show deviating features.

Given the widespread collecting habits in the UK, this could have as likely originated from an US source rather than being acquired from areas formerly administrated by the British, I guess.

Regards,
Kai

[Tim Simmons]

I have to say they look pretty rough stuff compered to mine .

[kai]

Hello Tim,

I have to say they look pretty rough stuff compered to mine .

Keep in mind that these repairs are probably quite a bit older than that on your kris. I've seen quite a few more examples but would have a hard time to pull out the pics... Some of these are on par with yours but I can't remember any as short.

Regards,
Kai