yet another Moro Kris

mrwizard · 25th September 2010, 06:48 PM

This is the piece that started my recent ethnographic arms addiction. I was listed as "old bush-knife" at an internet auction-platform with a rather bad picture (mobile-phone) and a description text that it was made shortly before or during WW2. I had seen pictures of keris before and a quick internet search revealed that this one might be of the moro kind. So, as the seller lived nearby (less than 5 miles) i thought "what the heck" and bid on it. Turned out i was the only one...
When i picked it up the seller, he is of Moro descent btw, told me that it belonged to his great-grandfather who used it during WW2. He was actually quite surprised that i identified the item as being moro.

But back to the sword:
It is 72 cm long, five luk, has no separate ganja and the blade seems to be pattern welded -- from what i learned from this forum quite typical for that time. The sword shows quite a lot of wear, there is some pitting from rust and there are several dents. Some of them have been wedged out so that it looks almost like the blade has an additional luk. This is certainly a user and not a status piece.

The scabbard is of wood covered with fine rattan and decorated with painted white metal plates (one seems to be missing). There is also a cloth wrapping that looks to be original.

Scabbard and hilt are covered with a clear lacquer. I'm sure this is not original and has been added later to preserve the item.

Sadly, the Wrongko is shattered and only held together by a metal wire. This looks to be a field repair.
I'm still unsure if i should restore the wrongko or leave it that way. After all if it is part of the swords history.

Rick · 25th September 2010, 08:25 PM

Just before WWII, or right after .
I have a very similar example .

Sajen · 25th September 2010, 09:00 PM

Good late example what shows a lot of wear. Nice with the cloth on the sheath. When it would be mine I would try to fix the wrongko and will let it like this. The blade I would clean better and give it a etch.

Regards,

Detlef

Rick · 25th September 2010, 09:12 PM

If it were mine I would leave it alone; I can see the pattern fine and there seems to be no rust .

Don't touch the cloth wrap; there may be a anting anting in there; the fabric looks like a Poleng pattern .

That makes me wonder if this sword saw a few Japanese soldiers in its day .

Battara · 25th September 2010, 11:16 PM

Not sure if the mouth at the ganga still applies like the old days, but if it does I would think it might indicate a Maguindanao make. This plus what I can tell of the cloth wrap makes this a definite Maguindanao origin.

I once had a similar piece but of Sulu origin (now belongs to my father, a full blood Tagalog).

Nice piece. The wranga, I don't know. As long as it is stable.......

Keep the cloth wrap just as it is - it was meant to be this way and itself may be the anting-anting.

Oh the stories it could tell........

Rick · 26th September 2010, 12:02 AM

How about the age/era Jose ?

What do you think ?

25th September 2010, 06:48 PM	#1
mrwizard Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dortmund, Germany Posts: 102	yet another Moro Kris This is the piece that started my recent ethnographic arms addiction. I was listed as "old bush-knife" at an internet auction-platform with a rather bad picture (mobile-phone) and a description text that it was made shortly before or during WW2. I had seen pictures of keris before and a quick internet search revealed that this one might be of the moro kind. So, as the seller lived nearby (less than 5 miles) i thought "what the heck" and bid on it. Turned out i was the only one... When i picked it up the seller, he is of Moro descent btw, told me that it belonged to his great-grandfather who used it during WW2. He was actually quite surprised that i identified the item as being moro. But back to the sword: It is 72 cm long, five luk, has no separate ganja and the blade seems to be pattern welded -- from what i learned from this forum quite typical for that time. The sword shows quite a lot of wear, there is some pitting from rust and there are several dents. Some of them have been wedged out so that it looks almost like the blade has an additional luk. This is certainly a user and not a status piece. The scabbard is of wood covered with fine rattan and decorated with painted white metal plates (one seems to be missing). There is also a cloth wrapping that looks to be original. Scabbard and hilt are covered with a clear lacquer. I'm sure this is not original and has been added later to preserve the item. Sadly, the Wrongko is shattered and only held together by a metal wire. This looks to be a field repair. I'm still unsure if i should restore the wrongko or leave it that way. After all if it is part of the swords history. Attached Images

25th September 2010, 08:25 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	Just before WWII, or right after . I have a very similar example .

25th September 2010, 09:00 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,485	Good late example what shows a lot of wear. Nice with the cloth on the sheath. When it would be mine I would try to fix the wrongko and will let it like this. The blade I would clean better and give it a etch. Regards, Detlef

25th September 2010, 09:12 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	If it were mine I would leave it alone; I can see the pattern fine and there seems to be no rust . Don't touch the cloth wrap; there may be a anting anting in there; the fabric looks like a Poleng pattern . That makes me wonder if this sword saw a few Japanese soldiers in its day .

25th September 2010, 11:16 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Not sure if the mouth at the ganga still applies like the old days, but if it does I would think it might indicate a Maguindanao make. This plus what I can tell of the cloth wrap makes this a definite Maguindanao origin. I once had a similar piece but of Sulu origin (now belongs to my father, a full blood Tagalog). Nice piece. The wranga, I don't know. As long as it is stable....... Keep the cloth wrap just as it is - it was meant to be this way and itself may be the anting-anting. Oh the stories it could tell........

26th September 2010, 12:02 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	How about the age/era Jose ? What do you think ?