2nd April 2019, 01:58 AM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 340
|
An shortened Madura/east Java Keris in KNIL dress.
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 |
2nd April 2019, 02:02 AM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 340
|
And a couple other examples of the KNIL dress.
KBT apparently stands for "Knil Batalion Tjamaj." |
3rd April 2019, 07:06 PM | #3 | |||
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,254
|
Hello Leif,
Thanks for posting this example! Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
From the finish, I'd guess at Bali/Lombok (including expat communities). Regards, Kai |
|||
|
|