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Originally Posted by Bill
As far as the features you describe as Indonesian workmanship, I'm kind of at a loss, as those are the features of the "18thC" with the exception that the sogokan out-line is for a straight blade. As I have stated before, my opinion is that the "18thC" was for dispatching wounded men & removing their heads;
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I do see what you mean here Bill. I went back to Cato a took another look at the features of the "archaic" kris. The sogokan do seem similar to Bill's example, though i still think the "elephant head" looks closer to an Indo sekar kecang than to anything Moro. I still have yet to see a Moro kris with this type of pamor....but isn't it your theory that these "archaic" kris
are of Indonesian origin. I'm not sure why you are arguing my assessment then since it tends to prove your argument.
As for these archaic keris having the specific purpose you describe, you lose me there. First off, weren't these "archaic" kris collected from a Moro provenence (regardless of their actual origin)? Did the Moro use blowguns and then dispatch their enemies and take their heads? Or are you saying that these "archaic" kris were actually used by the Bugis for their style of warfare, but somehow all ended up in the Philippines where they were collected?
Anyway, i do not see these early kris as being designed to be very effective for removing heads. Take a good look at the Dayak mandau for a blade that is well designed for that purpose.