3 Interesting Moro Krisses

CharlesS · 1st July 2014, 05:28 PM

Here are three interesting Moro krisses that have been cleaned up and restored. They are interesting for different reasons:

The first(from the top) looks to be Sulu with a beautifully patinated horse hoof pommel and interesting blade. I am more accustomed to seeing "sandwich" welds on Malay pieces but here is one a what is almost assuredly a Moro sword. Notice the slight changes in color of the metals. Also note the talismanic stars, all of which just happen to be in the upper portion of the steel. If you look closely at the stars they gleam and they seem to have a slight "coppery" hue. Wishful thinking makes me wonder if this is swassa. However, it could also be attributed to an alloy with copper content or even the etching process....only one way to be sure and that is testing. Has anyone seen swassa inlays of this type before...and are sure they are swassa???

The second one is a lovely piece and only a good polish and etch revealed a twistcore blade which was previously invisible. This is not my favorite type of twistcore as it is not such a clear contrast, but is clearly a complex core and is nicely highlighted by silver inlay.

The third one, I believe is from Maguindanao(please chime in Battara!) and is huge and heavy, easily the heaviest of the three. It has a rather crude steel baca-baca, almost in a more Malay style. The pommel here is interesting, but don't be fooled by the 'bling'. The silver is of very poor alloy quality, as is the ferrule. The okir is also a little crudish by Moro standards.

The scabbards are all new.

I'd love to get some input on the approximate dates of origin on these.

Also, does anyone have any additional info on the one with the silver pommel? Is the pommel a stylized version of something....where does it come from???

Thanks, as always, for any constructive input.

Battara · 1st July 2014, 10:41 PM

Ok..........

For starters, I would place all 3 in the period from the late 19th to early 20c. The last one may fit better in the early 20c.

The first one seems to have a Maguindanao blade. The second one might also be Maguindanao, though I would need a better picture of the base of the blade.

The third and last one might be Sulu, which also fits since they often favor the horse hoof pommel.

On the metal inlays - these could very well be swassa or low grade silver. Outside of testing them, what color were they when you got this piece?

Finally, I like these scabbards better - an improvement over past ones.

How's them apples?

Sajen · 2nd July 2014, 09:12 PM

The third one I remember to have seen by ebay; great how you have cared this kris!

I like the scabbards, very good work!

Regards,
Detlef

1st July 2014, 05:28 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	3 Interesting Moro Krisses Here are three interesting Moro krisses that have been cleaned up and restored. They are interesting for different reasons: The first(from the top) looks to be Sulu with a beautifully patinated horse hoof pommel and interesting blade. I am more accustomed to seeing "sandwich" welds on Malay pieces but here is one a what is almost assuredly a Moro sword. Notice the slight changes in color of the metals. Also note the talismanic stars, all of which just happen to be in the upper portion of the steel. If you look closely at the stars they gleam and they seem to have a slight "coppery" hue. Wishful thinking makes me wonder if this is swassa. However, it could also be attributed to an alloy with copper content or even the etching process....only one way to be sure and that is testing. Has anyone seen swassa inlays of this type before...and are sure they are swassa??? The second one is a lovely piece and only a good polish and etch revealed a twistcore blade which was previously invisible. This is not my favorite type of twistcore as it is not such a clear contrast, but is clearly a complex core and is nicely highlighted by silver inlay. The third one, I believe is from Maguindanao(please chime in Battara!) and is huge and heavy, easily the heaviest of the three. It has a rather crude steel baca-baca, almost in a more Malay style. The pommel here is interesting, but don't be fooled by the 'bling'. The silver is of very poor alloy quality, as is the ferrule. The okir is also a little crudish by Moro standards. The scabbards are all new. I'd love to get some input on the approximate dates of origin on these. Also, does anyone have any additional info on the one with the silver pommel? Is the pommel a stylized version of something....where does it come from??? Thanks, as always, for any constructive input. Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 2nd July 2014 at 12:17 AM.

1st July 2014, 10:41 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Ok.......... For starters, I would place all 3 in the period from the late 19th to early 20c. The last one may fit better in the early 20c. The first one seems to have a Maguindanao blade. The second one might also be Maguindanao, though I would need a better picture of the base of the blade. The third and last one might be Sulu, which also fits since they often favor the horse hoof pommel. On the metal inlays - these could very well be swassa or low grade silver. Outside of testing them, what color were they when you got this piece? Finally, I like these scabbards better - an improvement over past ones. How's them apples?

2nd July 2014, 09:12 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,494	The third one I remember to have seen by ebay; great how you have cared this kris! I like the scabbards, very good work! Regards, Detlef