Old Luzon Kris

Robert · 21st August 2012, 01:21 AM

I took a chance on a really bad picture on epray and I am very happy to say that this is what arrived. The pictures are after a cleaning as this looked to have been stored in a wet basement for years. I believe that this would date to the late 19th century. The swords total length is 29-3/4 inches with a 24-1/2 inch blade. The blade is 1-3/4 inches wide and 1/4 inch thick at the hilt. The grip is made of horn with brass fittings.
I am not sure if this sword originally had a guard or not "as not all of these did" or if the grip has just shrunk in length from age. Either way, it is a very nice sword and I am quite happy that I took the chance in acquiring it. Any comments that anyone would like to make on this would be very welcome.

Robert

Battara · 21st August 2012, 02:09 AM

Interesting piece. Long. Most of these I have seen are from Ilocos Norte, which is on the east side of Luzon.

Normally I do see these with cross guards of some kind.

Robert · 21st August 2012, 02:26 AM

Hello Jose, Yes this is one of the longest one of this style that I have ever seen. I am sure that there are ones that are longer but as yet I haven't seen them. Like you, most of these that I have seen have had guards but I have seen a few that did not and had no space at all for a guard to have ever been fit in between the hilt and blade. This one more than likely did have one at some point in time but it was either broken or if made of steel it could have just rusted away.

Robert

P.S.
If I remember right there was a single edged sword with a wavy blade that I think was longer than this in the History Of Steel Exhibit.

Robert · 21st August 2012, 10:47 PM

I was wondering if anyone here has any references to or pictures of any Luzon kris of this length or longer and if so could you post pictures or links? I would be very interested in seeing them as I have never seen one of this length before. I really wish that the scabbard for this one had survived but it was more than likely made of leather and over the years just rotted away. The half wave sword below at 27-1/2 inches total length was the longest one in my collection until now. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Robert

VVV · 21st August 2012, 11:06 PM

Nice catch!!!

I also suspect that it had a (maybe D-) guard.
Here is one of mine that is close as a reference - 28 inches long.

Atlantia · 21st August 2012, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

Nice catch!!!

I also suspect that it had a (maybe D-) guard.
Here is one of mine that is close as a reference - 28 inches long.

Ahh, that would fit!
And be relatively easy to re-manufacture

Atlantia · 21st August 2012, 11:09 PM

I think it's an absolute beauty Robert!
In the pictures it doesn't seem to have much room for a crossguard? Does it look like there is anything missing to you?
The quality of the blade looks very good and it's certainly an impressive length! (ooo-eeer)
Congrats indeed!!!!!

21st August 2012, 01:21 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Old Luzon Kris I took a chance on a really bad picture on epray and I am very happy to say that this is what arrived. The pictures are after a cleaning as this looked to have been stored in a wet basement for years. I believe that this would date to the late 19th century. The swords total length is 29-3/4 inches with a 24-1/2 inch blade. The blade is 1-3/4 inches wide and 1/4 inch thick at the hilt. The grip is made of horn with brass fittings. I am not sure if this sword originally had a guard or not "as not all of these did" or if the grip has just shrunk in length from age. Either way, it is a very nice sword and I am quite happy that I took the chance in acquiring it. Any comments that anyone would like to make on this would be very welcome. Robert Attached Images

21st August 2012, 02:26 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Jose, Yes this is one of the longest one of this style that I have ever seen. I am sure that there are ones that are longer but as yet I haven't seen them. Like you, most of these that I have seen have had guards but I have seen a few that did not and had no space at all for a guard to have ever been fit in between the hilt and blade. This one more than likely did have one at some point in time but it was either broken or if made of steel it could have just rusted away. Robert P.S. If I remember right there was a single edged sword with a wavy blade that I think was longer than this in the History Of Steel Exhibit. Last edited by Robert Coleman; 21st August 2012 at 04:31 AM.

21st August 2012, 10:47 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I was wondering if anyone here has any references to or pictures of any Luzon kris of this length or longer and if so could you post pictures or links? I would be very interested in seeing them as I have never seen one of this length before. I really wish that the scabbard for this one had survived but it was more than likely made of leather and over the years just rotted away. The half wave sword below at 27-1/2 inches total length was the longest one in my collection until now. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Robert Attached Images

21st August 2012, 11:06 PM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Nice catch!!! I also suspect that it had a (maybe D-) guard. Here is one of mine that is close as a reference - 28 inches long. Attached Images

21st August 2012, 02:09 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Interesting piece. Long. Most of these I have seen are from Ilocos Norte, which is on the east side of Luzon. Normally I do see these with cross guards of some kind.

21st August 2012, 11:09 PM	#7
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	I think it's an absolute beauty Robert! In the pictures it doesn't seem to have much room for a crossguard? Does it look like there is anything missing to you? The quality of the blade looks very good and it's certainly an impressive length! (ooo-eeer) Congrats indeed!!!!!