An Interesting Kris

Spunjer · 15th April 2013, 01:42 AM

here's a kris i would like to share for viewing pleasure and comments. at first glance, it appears to be a normal type except for the asang-asang that's missing. other than that, everything seems to be intact.
the pommel is made out of ivory in a miniature fashion. handle is silver that is exquisitely decorated. scabbard is complete, with silver bands; and the blade is in a straight fashion and has a separate gangya. it appears to be laminated. i haven't had the chance to etch it.
now for the fun part: i got this idea from kino's last thread regarding his Goliath Panabas.

would anyone care to guess what is so unusual about this particular kris?

David · 15th April 2013, 04:55 AM

hmmm, would i be right if i guessed it was rather small?
I like this kris. Is it yours?

Spunjer · 15th April 2013, 05:41 AM

bingo!
smallest kris i've ever seen. blade length is 11.5", and the width is 5/8". the handle is slightly smaller than an average kris's, with a total length of 4". possible that it was a child's kris, although i've seen some that are labeled as child's kris which is bigger than this. it could pass for a stiletto type dagger without a doubt, as it has the heft and balance. what gets me are the details that went in making this kris. that and the materials that was used.

yes sir, my latest acquisition. found in an antique shop a couple towns over.

here are some pics taken next to an average size kris, just for comparison. notice how the gripping part of the handle is almost the same size. comments?

kino · 15th April 2013, 05:43 AM

I'm with David on the Kris being small. Blade is shorter than the scabbard.
Is it a Diki-diki sized Kris?

Spunjer · 15th April 2013, 05:49 AM

Al, more like Diki-diki's son's kris this one. menehune size.

kino · 15th April 2013, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

Al, more like Diki-diki's son's kris this one. menehune size.

Maybe can fend off the Night Marchers dis kine, eh?

Seriously, that is a real small blade, I have one that has a 14" blade, with a full sized handle. Good catch, there's plenty good stuff in your area, gotta visit one day.

That average sized one is very nice as well, is that a abbreviated elephant trunk or is it broken.

kai · 15th April 2013, 09:15 AM

Hello Ron,

congrats, I like this dwarf kris a lot!

From the blade and the silver work I'd place this well into the 19th century.

One may wonder wether this may be a very early attempt at circumventing sword bans (which would mean a relatively late date) considering the similarity of the bulbous grip ornament with those seen in gunong/punal. OTOH, some early kris also have this bulbous grip ornament although stylistically this dwarf kris appears to be closer to early gunong. Okir is very limited on this hilt (Ron could you please post a close-up taken from the top of the grip?); it doesn't look Sulu to me and also the scabbard points to Mindanao. I'd guess this is a relatively early type of additional sidearm and believe the history of gunong/punal also goes back for quite a bit longer than usually acknowleged.

Regards,
Kai

15th April 2013, 01:42 AM	#1
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	An Interesting Kris here's a kris i would like to share for viewing pleasure and comments. at first glance, it appears to be a normal type except for the asang-asang that's missing. other than that, everything seems to be intact. the pommel is made out of ivory in a miniature fashion. handle is silver that is exquisitely decorated. scabbard is complete, with silver bands; and the blade is in a straight fashion and has a separate gangya. it appears to be laminated. i haven't had the chance to etch it. now for the fun part: i got this idea from kino's last thread regarding his Goliath Panabas. would anyone care to guess what is so unusual about this particular kris? Attached Images

15th April 2013, 05:41 AM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	bingo! smallest kris i've ever seen. blade length is 11.5", and the width is 5/8". the handle is slightly smaller than an average kris's, with a total length of 4". possible that it was a child's kris, although i've seen some that are labeled as child's kris which is bigger than this. it could pass for a stiletto type dagger without a doubt, as it has the heft and balance. what gets me are the details that went in making this kris. that and the materials that was used. yes sir, my latest acquisition. found in an antique shop a couple towns over. here are some pics taken next to an average size kris, just for comparison. notice how the gripping part of the handle is almost the same size. comments? Attached Images

15th April 2013, 04:55 AM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,041	hmmm, would i be right if i guessed it was rather small? I like this kris. Is it yours?

15th April 2013, 05:43 AM	#4
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 977	I'm with David on the Kris being small. Blade is shorter than the scabbard. Is it a Diki-diki sized Kris?

15th April 2013, 05:49 AM	#5
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Al, more like Diki-diki's son's kris this one. menehune size.

15th April 2013, 09:15 AM	#7
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,221	Hello Ron, congrats, I like this dwarf kris a lot! From the blade and the silver work I'd place this well into the 19th century. One may wonder wether this may be a very early attempt at circumventing sword bans (which would mean a relatively late date) considering the similarity of the bulbous grip ornament with those seen in gunong/punal. OTOH, some early kris also have this bulbous grip ornament although stylistically this dwarf kris appears to be closer to early gunong. Okir is very limited on this hilt (Ron could you please post a close-up taken from the top of the grip?); it doesn't look Sulu to me and also the scabbard points to Mindanao. I'd guess this is a relatively early type of additional sidearm and believe the history of gunong/punal also goes back for quite a bit longer than usually acknowleged. Regards, Kai