New Gunong

David · 14th August 2012, 02:18 PM

Just wondering if my questions are unanswerable, since no one has addressed them. Just to state them again...
How accurately can we date this filigree ball feature that we see on some of these fancier dressed gunongs?
How far back can we date the weapon itself? Can't say i've seen anything that can be dated older than very late 19th century.

kronckew · 14th August 2012, 04:33 PM

i seem to recall reading somewhere that the moro started carrying the gunongs somewhere during the insurrection at the end of the 19c/early 20th when they were forbidden to carry the longer kris and barongs in public. the smaller knives could more easily be hidden yet were still deadly at close quarters.

my humble item, hardened edge is very apparent in vinegar etch.

my touristy one: note the pointy luks, thin sheet metal guard, thinner flat x-section blade vs. diamond x-section in the other, no hardened edge or laminations, grip ball rather than the more form-fitting version of the earlier one that fits nicely between the fingers. decorations are incised in the ball, not wirework.

the top one lives on the night stand by my bed justincase. the touristy one is relegated to the closet.

14th August 2012, 04:33 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,216	i seem to recall reading somewhere that the moro started carrying the gunongs somewhere during the insurrection at the end of the 19c/early 20th when they were forbidden to carry the longer kris and barongs in public. the smaller knives could more easily be hidden yet were still deadly at close quarters. my humble item, hardened edge is very apparent in vinegar etch. my touristy one: note the pointy luks, thin sheet metal guard, thinner flat x-section blade vs. diamond x-section in the other, no hardened edge or laminations, grip ball rather than the more form-fitting version of the earlier one that fits nicely between the fingers. decorations are incised in the ball, not wirework. the top one lives on the night stand by my bed justincase. the touristy one is relegated to the closet. Last edited by kronckew; 14th August 2012 at 04:58 PM.

14th August 2012, 02:18 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Just wondering if my questions are unanswerable, since no one has addressed them. Just to state them again... How accurately can we date this filigree ball feature that we see on some of these fancier dressed gunongs? How far back can we date the weapon itself? Can't say i've seen anything that can be dated older than very late 19th century.