MORO Kris

Flavio · 16th February 2008, 02:34 PM

Hi Ben! I'm with Tim, seems a kaskara-tokuba blade with the two half-moons on the blade. Also the fullers seem tipical of these kind of blades!

Rick · 16th February 2008, 04:36 PM

Scarf welded blade possibly ?
Can you show a closer picture of the area where the fullers begin ?

David · 16th February 2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flavio

Hi Ben! I'm with Tim, seems a kaskara-tokuba blade with the two half-moons on the blade. Also the fullers seem tipical of these kind of blades!

...and where exactly would the weld point be where this "kaskara" blade would be joined to the obviously Moro base of this sword.

I do agree that the fullers do give it the look of a kaskara blade, but i am fairly sure that this kris is all Moro. I have seen other Moro kris with fullers before (see pg. 71 in Cato), though this is certainly a more unusual configuration.
Ben, as you know, age is always a trick thing to determine. Since you seem to have some provenance at least you know that it is at least from before 1910. I would think that this style of kris could easily extend back through a good part of the 19th century. Dimensions might be helpful, as older kris tended to be a bit small AFAIK, but i'm not sure you can determine a definitive age from that either. Does it have a sheath? That won't prove it's age for sure either (sheaths can be easily changed), but it might add some clues.
Regardless, nice kris.

Rick · 16th February 2008, 04:51 PM

Hi David, there is discoloration above where the fullers start ; could be indicative of a scarf weld .

Tim Simmons · 16th February 2008, 05:00 PM

Fascinating. In certain views there does appear to be two metals here. Even if this is so it I do not think it is done to deceive, or cobbled together to fool. Perhaps the trade of these blades is extensive. They are very good quality. A short length mounted expertly in this Moro? manner would be a very good heavy sword indeed.

?

Flavio · 16th February 2008, 05:47 PM

Maybe an etch could help... if the blade is laminated it's for sure all Moro

Dajak · 16th February 2008, 06:22 PM

Hi thanks for the comments

The blade is 24 inch and laminated all over 29 inch

Here are some close up pics

I like to now the age because it looks older than 100 years

and what are the sign s means that is on it .

but I don t now much about Moro kris so I like to learn .

Ben

Tim Simmons · 16th February 2008, 06:38 PM

These blades were supplied to East Africa in The latter half of the 19th century so I see no reason why this is not from that time. When you think about it there were trade routes to the east. Also many parts of SE Asia the area we are talking about, may have depended on trade blades. We have seen European trade parang blades in Africa recently. Some communities may not be particularly wealthy so making a sword this way makes sense. Perhaps using an old hilt saves expense, perhaps only having to commission the local smith only to make the hilt means a cheap quallity sword. The handle does reflect a cheap functional nature.

16th February 2008, 06:22 PM	#7
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi thanks for the comments The blade is 24 inch and laminated all over 29 inch Here are some close up pics I like to now the age because it looks older than 100 years and what are the sign s means that is on it . but I don t now much about Moro kris so I like to learn . Ben Attached Images

16th February 2008, 02:34 PM	#1
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hi Ben! I'm with Tim, seems a kaskara-tokuba blade with the two half-moons on the blade. Also the fullers seem tipical of these kind of blades!

16th February 2008, 04:36 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Scarf welded blade possibly ? Can you show a closer picture of the area where the fullers begin ?

16th February 2008, 04:51 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Hi David, there is discoloration above where the fullers start ; could be indicative of a scarf weld .

16th February 2008, 05:00 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	Fascinating. In certain views there does appear to be two metals here. Even if this is so it I do not think it is done to deceive, or cobbled together to fool. Perhaps the trade of these blades is extensive. They are very good quality. A short length mounted expertly in this Moro? manner would be a very good heavy sword indeed. ?

16th February 2008, 05:47 PM	#6
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Maybe an etch could help... if the blade is laminated it's for sure all Moro

16th February 2008, 06:38 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	These blades were supplied to East Africa in The latter half of the 19th century so I see no reason why this is not from that time. When you think about it there were trade routes to the east. Also many parts of SE Asia the area we are talking about, may have depended on trade blades. We have seen European trade parang blades in Africa recently. Some communities may not be particularly wealthy so making a sword this way makes sense. Perhaps using an old hilt saves expense, perhaps only having to commission the local smith only to make the hilt means a cheap quallity sword. The handle does reflect a cheap functional nature.