MORO Kris

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.

Dajak · 16th February 2008, 06:56 PM

It looks they used Rhino horn

Ben

Tim Simmons · 16th February 2008, 07:04 PM

Some jungle people might have more access to Rhino horn at times, but may not always have a good supply of trade commodities, the handle fitted latter at home after the blade was made?

How many smith would be in the Forrest interior?

First catch your Rhino, I have heard that the SE Asian Rhino is rather elusive.

Dajak · 16th February 2008, 07:56 PM

Interesting that the blade make an long way

Ben

kai · 16th February 2008, 08:44 PM

Hello Ben,

Nice to see more pics of this kris!

From the features at the base of the blade, I'd suggest that the blade is 19th century, possibly the latter half but probably predating the Spanish-American war. It seems to be clearly Sulu style (including northern Borneo) although it's longer than most blades from that region/date. Also the scabbard looks well-used and genuinely antique.

The pommel could be also very well be of Sulu manufacture but the wire wrap doesn't look like Moro work. However, it seems to fit well with non-Moro tribes from Borneo - is it known from which tribe or region this piece was collected?

I think it would be very enlightening to polish and etch this blade. Considering the good condition of the blade, this can be done with minimal loss of material (contact me if you don't want to do it yourself). If a Kaskara blade was welded to the base/gangya, this will surely show!

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 16th February 2008, 09:30 PM

I agree with Kai. I also think that the wrap was done later than the blade. I wonder if this was a European blade with the shape and those moons (even though the crescent moon is an Islamic symbol). I have seen one or two Moro kris with European trade blades before.

Rhino horn - not common on Moro stuff but I suppose anything is possible.

Tim Simmons · 16th February 2008, 09:46 PM

If this is not a classic thread then I have no idea what could be. I hope Ben does etch the blade. How many blades have you seen with the demarcation, one from the other like this?

16th February 2008, 06:38 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,876	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, 06:56 PM	#2
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	It looks they used Rhino horn Ben

16th February 2008, 07:04 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,876	Some jungle people might have more access to Rhino horn at times, but may not always have a good supply of trade commodities, the handle fitted latter at home after the blade was made? How many smith would be in the Forrest interior? First catch your Rhino, I have heard that the SE Asian Rhino is rather elusive.

16th February 2008, 07:56 PM	#4
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Interesting that the blade make an long way Ben

16th February 2008, 08:44 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Ben, Nice to see more pics of this kris! From the features at the base of the blade, I'd suggest that the blade is 19th century, possibly the latter half but probably predating the Spanish-American war. It seems to be clearly Sulu style (including northern Borneo) although it's longer than most blades from that region/date. Also the scabbard looks well-used and genuinely antique. The pommel could be also very well be of Sulu manufacture but the wire wrap doesn't look like Moro work. However, it seems to fit well with non-Moro tribes from Borneo - is it known from which tribe or region this piece was collected? I think it would be very enlightening to polish and etch this blade. Considering the good condition of the blade, this can be done with minimal loss of material (contact me if you don't want to do it yourself). If a Kaskara blade was welded to the base/gangya, this will surely show! Regards, Kai

16th February 2008, 09:30 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	I agree with Kai. I also think that the wrap was done later than the blade. I wonder if this was a European blade with the shape and those moons (even though the crescent moon is an Islamic symbol). I have seen one or two Moro kris with European trade blades before. Rhino horn - not common on Moro stuff but I suppose anything is possible.

16th February 2008, 09:46 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,876	If this is not a classic thread then I have no idea what could be. I hope Ben does etch the blade. How many blades have you seen with the demarcation, one from the other like this?