A small Kris

blue lander · 7th April 2015, 03:41 PM

Just won the auction for this. The whole thing's about 60 cm long. The blade's pretty rusty so I can't see any evidence of pattern welding. I don't see a separate ganja either. The fittings look silver

Is this an "archaic" kris, which I understand were very small, or a post WW-2 child's kris?

Rick · 7th April 2015, 03:44 PM

I'd call it diminutive; it shows age but not any features that could be called archaic IMO .
Maybe it's a kid's sword .
It looks like it does have a separate gangya .

blue lander · 7th April 2015, 03:53 PM

Here's one more picture next to a tape measure for a sense of proportion.

Ian · 7th April 2015, 05:04 PM

I agree with Rick. This looks like a late 19th/early 20th C Maranao kris. There is an obvious visible line that suggests a separate gangya.

The apparent shortness of a kris like this is not uncommon (yours is not really that much shorter than many kris), even on relatively modern kris. We tend to look at the more massive examples from the late 19th C and consider them the norm, but smaller versions have been made through the 19th and into the 20th C.

Whether shorter versions are intended for children, or perhaps women (Moro women did fight beside the men in defense of their homes), is hard to say.

Ian.

Rick · 7th April 2015, 05:09 PM

I think it's a full sized kris .

Most of my full size Moro krises measure around 21-22 inches blade length .

blue lander · 7th April 2015, 05:17 PM

Cool, thanks. What do you suppose the hilt is wrapped with? It looks almost like a bandage.

Is it worth cleaning/etching? That is, is there a chance it isn't mono steel?

Sajen · 7th April 2015, 06:07 PM

Hello Blue,
agree with Rick and Ian. And I see also the evidence of a seperate gangya. The chance that the blade is laminated is great but you need to remove all rust and the blade need a good polish. The wrapping at the handle isn't original.
I think this kris is a nice learning exercise for restauration. Keep us updated!

Regards,
Detlef

7th April 2015, 03:41 PM	#1
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	A small Kris Just won the auction for this. The whole thing's about 60 cm long. The blade's pretty rusty so I can't see any evidence of pattern welding. I don't see a separate ganja either. The fittings look silver Is this an "archaic" kris, which I understand were very small, or a post WW-2 child's kris? Attached Images

7th April 2015, 03:53 PM	#3
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Here's one more picture next to a tape measure for a sense of proportion. Attached Images

7th April 2015, 03:44 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	I'd call it diminutive; it shows age but not any features that could be called archaic IMO . Maybe it's a kid's sword . It looks like it does have a separate gangya .

7th April 2015, 05:04 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,035	I agree with Rick. This looks like a late 19th/early 20th C Maranao kris. There is an obvious visible line that suggests a separate gangya. The apparent shortness of a kris like this is not uncommon (yours is not really that much shorter than many kris), even on relatively modern kris. We tend to look at the more massive examples from the late 19th C and consider them the norm, but smaller versions have been made through the 19th and into the 20th C. Whether shorter versions are intended for children, or perhaps women (Moro women did fight beside the men in defense of their homes), is hard to say. Ian.

7th April 2015, 05:09 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	I think it's a full sized kris . Most of my full size Moro krises measure around 21-22 inches blade length .

7th April 2015, 05:17 PM	#6
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Cool, thanks. What do you suppose the hilt is wrapped with? It looks almost like a bandage. Is it worth cleaning/etching? That is, is there a chance it isn't mono steel?

7th April 2015, 06:07 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,515	Hello Blue, agree with Rick and Ian. And I see also the evidence of a seperate gangya. The chance that the blade is laminated is great but you need to remove all rust and the blade need a good polish. The wrapping at the handle isn't original. I think this kris is a nice learning exercise for restauration. Keep us updated! Regards, Detlef