Moro Kriss Sword With Odd Open Scabbard

Ian · 22nd July 2018, 12:57 AM

Hi Charles,

Truly unusual kris and scabbard. I'm inclined to agree with Kai that the blade may be early 20th C. The fullers are atypical in form and the blade seems unusually wide for its length, hence its considerable weight I suppose. The squared off toe on the scabbard resembles dressed-up kris from the mid-20th C, whose scabbards usually have aluminum fittings and perhaps MOP or horn/turtle shell ornamentation. The MOP insets look a lot like those found on kris from Zamboanga, which is a real melting pot of ethnic groups. The pierced scabbard goes through the front and back sections, which is highly unusual.

I think this could have started out as a Sulu or Yakan sword that was given new dress in Zamboanga. I would not rule out it being a Lumad sword in its later life, as some of the Lumad kris can be very strange.

Got any more odd kris for us this weekend?

Ian.

David · 22nd July 2018, 11:02 PM

I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas about the shape of the sheath cutouts. The bottom one is fairly symmetrical and could be seen as purely decorative i suppose, but the top one has a very unusual asymmetrical form leading me to believe that it might have some symbolic meaning.

22nd July 2018, 12:57 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,523	Hi Charles, Truly unusual kris and scabbard. I'm inclined to agree with Kai that the blade may be early 20th C. The fullers are atypical in form and the blade seems unusually wide for its length, hence its considerable weight I suppose. The squared off toe on the scabbard resembles dressed-up kris from the mid-20th C, whose scabbards usually have aluminum fittings and perhaps MOP or horn/turtle shell ornamentation. The MOP insets look a lot like those found on kris from Zamboanga, which is a real melting pot of ethnic groups. The pierced scabbard goes through the front and back sections, which is highly unusual. I think this could have started out as a Sulu or Yakan sword that was given new dress in Zamboanga. I would not rule out it being a Lumad sword in its later life, as some of the Lumad kris can be very strange. Got any more odd kris for us this weekend? Ian.

22nd July 2018, 11:02 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas about the shape of the sheath cutouts. The bottom one is fairly symmetrical and could be seen as purely decorative i suppose, but the top one has a very unusual asymmetrical form leading me to believe that it might have some symbolic meaning.