My first kris :)

Bill · 21st October 2008, 05:38 PM

Hi Miguel,
It's a interesting sword. The blade is nicely done. It's a copy of what Cato refers to a "18C". I'm not sure where it was made The file work in the center looks like Maguindanao or Maranao but elephant's head looks more Sulu.
The blade is older then the hilt. You can see where the old baca-baca (stirrup) once was. The blade is likely 100 years or older but it's hard to tell from pictures & the fact it was coping a old style.
I bought a small dress kris from Ramon Villegas but can't find his appraisal at the moment. The hilt work it similar and likely done by the same craftsman. If I recall correctly he said the kris I have was Maranao & done in the early 1960's. My blade is hand forged but not nearly as nice as yours or the "old" work in general. I've seen several swords that appear to have the same quality blade, hilt work & ivory pommel as mine. Your ivory pommel is different & perhaps made earlier then the 60's, hard to say.
For the most part, I think the coins in the scabbard are also most common in 1960's work & latter. The rattan looks older then that but I've also seen quite a few scabbards made in the 60's that are similar.
Villegas used to have a numismatic shop in Makati, bet you he could give you much better detail then myself. By the way, can you describe the coins?

21st October 2008, 05:38 PM	#7
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Hi Miguel, It's a interesting sword. The blade is nicely done. It's a copy of what Cato refers to a "18C". I'm not sure where it was made The file work in the center looks like Maguindanao or Maranao but elephant's head looks more Sulu. The blade is older then the hilt. You can see where the old baca-baca (stirrup) once was. The blade is likely 100 years or older but it's hard to tell from pictures & the fact it was coping a old style. I bought a small dress kris from Ramon Villegas but can't find his appraisal at the moment. The hilt work it similar and likely done by the same craftsman. If I recall correctly he said the kris I have was Maranao & done in the early 1960's. My blade is hand forged but not nearly as nice as yours or the "old" work in general. I've seen several swords that appear to have the same quality blade, hilt work & ivory pommel as mine. Your ivory pommel is different & perhaps made earlier then the 60's, hard to say. For the most part, I think the coins in the scabbard are also most common in 1960's work & latter. The rattan looks older then that but I've also seen quite a few scabbards made in the 60's that are similar. Villegas used to have a numismatic shop in Makati, bet you he could give you much better detail then myself. By the way, can you describe the coins?