Moro? Malay? Kris/Sundang

David · 28th May 2011, 07:12 PM

I am surprised that no one has made any comments on the markings on the hilt. There is an anchor and then what appears to be a letter (R, A, ???) and the numbers 66 (or 99 if we view it the other way). Certainly this is not traditional to the blade, but it does seem to speak somewhat to the history of this blade. Just a guess, but acquired by a sailor who either added it to a hiltless blade or replaced the original for some reason. I wouldn't be too quick to replace this hilt without trying to see if it holds some clue to the history of the weapon.

Tatyana Dianova · 28th May 2011, 08:24 PM

Many thanks to everybody for the very informative comments!
David: the letter is B. 66 can be the year of the handle manufacture

Kai: I have bought the Kris in a very rusty and neglected condition. I am reluctant to polish it any further. It has laminations running along the blade (snakelike, like on Keris), but very low contrast and definitely no twisted core. You can see it on the picture of the tip.

28th May 2011, 07:12 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	I am surprised that no one has made any comments on the markings on the hilt. There is an anchor and then what appears to be a letter (R, A, ???) and the numbers 66 (or 99 if we view it the other way). Certainly this is not traditional to the blade, but it does seem to speak somewhat to the history of this blade. Just a guess, but acquired by a sailor who either added it to a hiltless blade or replaced the original for some reason. I wouldn't be too quick to replace this hilt without trying to see if it holds some clue to the history of the weapon.

28th May 2011, 08:24 PM	#2
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 736	Many thanks to everybody for the very informative comments! David: the letter is B. 66 can be the year of the handle manufacture Kai: I have bought the Kris in a very rusty and neglected condition. I am reluctant to polish it any further. It has laminations running along the blade (snakelike, like on Keris), but very low contrast and definitely no twisted core. You can see it on the picture of the tip.