An shortened Madura/east Java Keris in KNIL dress.

[Rafngard]

Hello All,

This is one that initially confused the heck out of me. It's shorter than normal, has what I would think of as a "balinese finish" and a leather scabbard that looks like something from Luzon.

Fortunately, a Dutch collector informed me that this was probably used by someone in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger; KNIL). Apparently, it was allowed for low-ranking officers of indonesian origin to wear a keris as a personal side-arm. Madurans in particular were known to often take service in the KNIL.

I suspect then that this was originally one of those smooth textured, Javanese length (rather than the larger Balinese ones) keris that broken and was later used as a personal side-arm by a low-ranking Indonesian (east Javanese or Maduran) officer in the KNIL.

So what do people think? Does this theory scan?

Any thoughts or opinions welcome here.

Thanks,
Leif

[Rafngard]

And a couple other examples of the KNIL dress.

KBT apparently stands for "Knil Batalion Tjamaj."

[kai]

Hello Leif,

Thanks for posting this example!

Fortunately, a Dutch collector informed me that this was probably used by someone in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger; KNIL).

It could also be from a member of the Marechaussee, a well-armed police force that performed Recon/SpecOps/counterinsurgency actions during the later colonial period.

Apparently, it was allowed for low-ranking officers of indonesian origin to wear a keris as a personal side-arm. Madurans in particular were known to often take service in the KNIL.

BTW, there's a sizeable Balinese community on Madura.

I suspect then that this was originally one of those smooth textured, Javanese length (rather than the larger Balinese ones) keris that broken and was later used as a personal side-arm by a low-ranking Indonesian (east Javanese or Maduran) officer in the KNIL.

There are quite a few keris Bali with blades in the size range typical for keris Jawa.

From the finish, I'd guess at Bali/Lombok (including expat communities).

Regards,
Kai