My Maguindanao Kris

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by milandro

Thank you all!


The " cutting" line appears to go through the last hole too, but this may be completely vestigial (I will ad up a picture at some point). Certainly cannot figure how to detach it , and the hilt is firm in place. So, I'd go with a vestigial line.

If this was made into two different pieces fitting it together with such a precision would have been a work of art in itself.

While researching this kris, on the forum and elsewhere, I found a large number of krises such as mine (or so they look to me) all indicated as Maguindanao from several auction houses (although the style of the picture taking appears to be very similar).

Most if not all seemed (to me) to have some age to it and showed what appears to be a vestigial incision of the ganja. (am I at liberty to post pictures of these krises since all the auctions seem to have been completed?)

I have seen that on previous thread here too there is a debate on the meaning of this cutting line ( real or vestigial) in terms of timeline.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22272

In this one there was a blade without even a vestigial line and it was probably bought in the '30


http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...separate+ganja


Whichever the period when my kris was made, it wasn't made yesterday. I am very happy with my kris anyway, whether this was made early in the 20th century or later in the same century.

In my limited knowledge I think the blade was made either late 1800s or early 1900s, because the features of mid-century to postwar are different. Th e pommel seems original, and had something (probably metal clad) placed on it before. The wood core of the hilt may also be original (we won't know unless it's disassembled unfortunately), but the metal clad (ferrules, rattan) may be later-era, probably quarter to mid-century. Overall nice kris, I think it's made for battle...I'm guessing the blade is the rigid and non-flexible (or minimum flexible) type.

[milandro]

Originally Posted by xasterix

.... Overall nice kris, I think it's made for battle...I'm guessing the blade is the rigid and non-flexible (or minimum flexible) type.

Thanks.

Absolutely rigid blade and , I too have the feeling this is a Kris which wasn't meant to be used for decorative purposes. It is still very sharp and one has to handle it with care or you will quickly notice it.

Given the weight and the length of this weapon, this would have been certainly wilded by someone whom knew what to do with it and had the necessary body mass and height.