Another Nice Example Of Moro Twist Core Steel

kai · 9th July 2010, 08:17 AM

The scabbard is in very good condition and has been worked over for maintenance and better look recently (similar to the new etch of the blade). Considering the nice quality of the wood and construction, I don't doubt that it is antique and probably from the 19th c. A pic of the other side and close-ups of the crosspiece would be great though, Charles!

With blades this old, it is almost a given that a scabbard is not original in the sense that it is the one the blade got fitted with after being forged. Mind you, scabbards were thought of as consumables (and for a reason given most SE Asian climates). To be confident that a scabbard of a 18th c. (or earlier) blade is really the original, you'd expect any piece to have been removed from SE Asia very early (like mid-19th c.) and being well cared for in a museum or in a bunch of private collections; this is rare. Most of the early kris available, especially in the US, were obtained during the Spanish-American war and the ensuing Moro resistance against colonial rule.

For these, I'd want additional evidence for any scabbard suggested to predate the 19th c. However, I believe that most collectors would be more than happy to be the current caretaker of a piece with nice 19th c. scabbard (and any repairs having been traditionally done way back in the originating culture).

Regards,
Kai

9th July 2010, 08:17 AM	#9
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	The scabbard is in very good condition and has been worked over for maintenance and better look recently (similar to the new etch of the blade). Considering the nice quality of the wood and construction, I don't doubt that it is antique and probably from the 19th c. A pic of the other side and close-ups of the crosspiece would be great though, Charles! With blades this old, it is almost a given that a scabbard is not original in the sense that it is the one the blade got fitted with after being forged. Mind you, scabbards were thought of as consumables (and for a reason given most SE Asian climates). To be confident that a scabbard of a 18th c. (or earlier) blade is really the original, you'd expect any piece to have been removed from SE Asia very early (like mid-19th c.) and being well cared for in a museum or in a bunch of private collections; this is rare. Most of the early kris available, especially in the US, were obtained during the Spanish-American war and the ensuing Moro resistance against colonial rule. For these, I'd want additional evidence for any scabbard suggested to predate the 19th c. However, I believe that most collectors would be more than happy to be the current caretaker of a piece with nice 19th c. scabbard (and any repairs having been traditionally done way back in the originating culture). Regards, Kai