Hi PBH:
As you likely know, the pira was mainly a Yakan weapon. This elongated protrusion from the end of the hilt is peculiarly Yakan and has been noted on some kakatua barung hilts as well. I have yet to see it ascribed to a kris hilt, although there may be rare examples out there. I have heard of an example of this feature on a bangkung, but have not seen one.
Rick's comment accurately reflects Cato's opinion, and I don't know of any other authority who has commented on its purpose. An alternative view might be that this is simply a Yakan ornamentation that had no specific purpose, or at least no purpose in recent times.
Your exposure to local panday is more likely to lead to an answer than any source here. If your panday don't know, then that says a lot about the place of elongated hilts within the culture--simply a remnant of times past.
Ian.
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