Moro Pira

[imas560]

Hello all,
My newly acquired Pira.

From the listing

Dimensions:
Total length 28 3/4 inches - 73cm
Blade length: 18 1/8 inches - 46cm
Blade width (widest part): 2 5/16 inches (5.9cm)
Blade thickness: 5/32 inch - 0.4cm
The hilt is finely crafted of horn.

Any comments greatly appreciated

[imas560]

couple more photos

[T. Koch]

Hi Imas!

What a cool sword - congratulations on the addition! :) How old do you think it is?

Also, I have been wondering if there are any geographical, cultural or temporal differences in the origin of different Pira forms? I haven't seen many myself, but those I have seen, seem to fall into two categories: The form you show here, often with a horn hilt, and the form with a hilt of pinuti wood, reminiscent of a cockatua-barong hilt with a dramatically extended dorsal crest.

Thanks for sharing your new treasure!


Cordially, - Thor

[imas560]

Thanks Thor,
The age listed in the auction was pre-ww2 but I have no idea.
I'm not sure of the significance of the tapering handle protrusion.
I'm new to this Moro edged weapons thing so I'm pretty much a rank amateur.
best wishes .

[Spunjer]

hello,
this style of pira are most likely post WW2. the older piras has a distinct type of handle, and shorter ferrule. here are couple links that you can compare it with:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14247&highlight=pira
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13283&highlight=pira

[imas560]

thanks Spunjer

[Spunjer]

you're welcome, darren. btw, haapy thanksgiving from the other side of the world!
as i was searching for links to attach on my response last night, i came across an old thread of yours regarding the other pira that you have.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17496&highlight=pira
notice how those X marks("palias") are buttery smooth compared to the one you posted here. also missing on the other one are the jagged edges on the the older blade. personally, since i prefer older pira for my collection, whenever i see those jagged edges, i stay away from them.

regarding the older pira that you have, the four petal flower image on the spatula was interesting. it reminded me of the same motif found in visayan blades, particularly ilonggo. anyways, as i was working on a pira scabbard that i have, i notice the same pattern. it makes me wonder if the four petal flower is common pattern among Yakans. the Tausugs have he same pattern on some of their craftsmanship, albeit fatter petals...

[imas560]

Thanks Ron,
Happy thanksgiving to you too.
Heaps of great info, much appreciated.
And thanks for the photos of the scabbard, I've been hunting through old posts to try and get an idea of what shape to make a plain scabbard for it.