Old Luzon Kris

Battara · 21st August 2012, 01:09 AM

Interesting piece. Long. Most of these I have seen are from Ilocos Norte, which is on the east side of Luzon.

Normally I do see these with cross guards of some kind.

Robert · 21st August 2012, 01:26 AM

Hello Jose, Yes this is one of the longest one of this style that I have ever seen. I am sure that there are ones that are longer but as yet I haven't seen them. Like you, most of these that I have seen have had guards but I have seen a few that did not and had no space at all for a guard to have ever been fit in between the hilt and blade. This one more than likely did have one at some point in time but it was either broken or if made of steel it could have just rusted away.

Robert

P.S.
If I remember right there was a single edged sword with a wavy blade that I think was longer than this in the History Of Steel Exhibit.

Robert · 21st August 2012, 09:47 PM

I was wondering if anyone here has any references to or pictures of any Luzon kris of this length or longer and if so could you post pictures or links? I would be very interested in seeing them as I have never seen one of this length before. I really wish that the scabbard for this one had survived but it was more than likely made of leather and over the years just rotted away. The half wave sword below at 27-1/2 inches total length was the longest one in my collection until now. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Robert

VVV · 21st August 2012, 10:06 PM

Nice catch!!!

I also suspect that it had a (maybe D-) guard.
Here is one of mine that is close as a reference - 28 inches long.

Atlantia · 21st August 2012, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

Nice catch!!!

I also suspect that it had a (maybe D-) guard.
Here is one of mine that is close as a reference - 28 inches long.

Ahh, that would fit!
And be relatively easy to re-manufacture

Robert · 21st August 2012, 11:05 PM

Great reference piece Michael and thank you for posting it for comparison. Because there is no evidence of there ever being anything attached at the butt end of the hilt I think that if my example originally had a guard that it might have either been an S-guard, a straight guard or possibly a small oval guard. As Gene pointed out, there is not much room for a guard between the blade and hilt. That and there is no evidence of any wear on the exposed bit of the tang or on the front edge of the ferrule that I would expect to find if the guard was made from steel of any thickness. Then again if the guard was of brass or copper and was lost to being broken, I would have expected it to have at least left some evidence of existing such as a bend or gouge to the brass ferrule or damage to the hilt material itself. The only other option would be that it was one of the very thin steel guards that you see on quite a few examples of these swords that like I suggested before just rusted away over the years. These are just my thoughts on this and whether of not they have any validity remains to be seen. I would again like to thank both you and Gene for your kind words and thoughts on this.

Regards,
Robert

Ferguson · 21st August 2012, 11:22 PM

Nice piece Robert! I'm wondering if they made a lot of these type pieces without guards. I've got a much smaller version of a similar form as shown on this thread.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9597

Steve

Atlantia · 21st August 2012, 10:09 PM

I think it's an absolute beauty Robert!
In the pictures it doesn't seem to have much room for a crossguard? Does it look like there is anything missing to you?
The quality of the blade looks very good and it's certainly an impressive length! (ooo-eeer)
Congrats indeed!!!!!

21st August 2012, 01:26 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Jose, Yes this is one of the longest one of this style that I have ever seen. I am sure that there are ones that are longer but as yet I haven't seen them. Like you, most of these that I have seen have had guards but I have seen a few that did not and had no space at all for a guard to have ever been fit in between the hilt and blade. This one more than likely did have one at some point in time but it was either broken or if made of steel it could have just rusted away. Robert P.S. If I remember right there was a single edged sword with a wavy blade that I think was longer than this in the History Of Steel Exhibit. Last edited by Robert Coleman; 21st August 2012 at 03:31 AM.

21st August 2012, 09:47 PM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I was wondering if anyone here has any references to or pictures of any Luzon kris of this length or longer and if so could you post pictures or links? I would be very interested in seeing them as I have never seen one of this length before. I really wish that the scabbard for this one had survived but it was more than likely made of leather and over the years just rotted away. The half wave sword below at 27-1/2 inches total length was the longest one in my collection until now. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Robert Attached Images

21st August 2012, 10:06 PM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Nice catch!!! I also suspect that it had a (maybe D-) guard. Here is one of mine that is close as a reference - 28 inches long. Attached Images

21st August 2012, 01:09 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Interesting piece. Long. Most of these I have seen are from Ilocos Norte, which is on the east side of Luzon. Normally I do see these with cross guards of some kind.

21st August 2012, 11:05 PM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Great reference piece Michael and thank you for posting it for comparison. Because there is no evidence of there ever being anything attached at the butt end of the hilt I think that if my example originally had a guard that it might have either been an S-guard, a straight guard or possibly a small oval guard. As Gene pointed out, there is not much room for a guard between the blade and hilt. That and there is no evidence of any wear on the exposed bit of the tang or on the front edge of the ferrule that I would expect to find if the guard was made from steel of any thickness. Then again if the guard was of brass or copper and was lost to being broken, I would have expected it to have at least left some evidence of existing such as a bend or gouge to the brass ferrule or damage to the hilt material itself. The only other option would be that it was one of the very thin steel guards that you see on quite a few examples of these swords that like I suggested before just rusted away over the years. These are just my thoughts on this and whether of not they have any validity remains to be seen. I would again like to thank both you and Gene for your kind words and thoughts on this. Regards, Robert

21st August 2012, 11:22 PM	#7
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Nice piece Robert! I'm wondering if they made a lot of these type pieces without guards. I've got a much smaller version of a similar form as shown on this thread. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9597 Steve

21st August 2012, 10:09 PM	#8
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	I think it's an absolute beauty Robert! In the pictures it doesn't seem to have much room for a crossguard? Does it look like there is anything missing to you? The quality of the blade looks very good and it's certainly an impressive length! (ooo-eeer) Congrats indeed!!!!!