A Moro Kriss: A Hunch That Was Correct!

David R · 28th June 2019, 06:50 PM

Wow, just wow! That wonderful feeling when a hunch pays off.

mross · 28th June 2019, 08:15 PM

I love it when a plan come together

kino · 28th June 2019, 09:03 PM

I had the opportunity to handle the kris at the sellers residence during the auction. I really liked it despite the hilt being compromised as Charles had mentioned. I like native repairs, it would be hard for me to snip away the rattan.
But it had to be done.
Had I not have a similar looking hilt, I would have taken a stab at bidding on it , but going against CharlesS, it would have been a futile attempt.
Congrats.

CharlesS · 28th June 2019, 09:22 PM

Kino,

To be honest I let it sit overnight because I was so conflicted over cutting the rattan, but what finally pushed me over the edge to cut it was my thinking that with the hilt in the condition it was in, handling it would only make it weaker and weaker, and at some point it might actually break.

The other thing that kept tugging at me was the fact that I know that was not the way the hilt was originally meant to be so "correcting" it would not be a sin even as interesting as it was with the rattan.

I was very surprised I was the only bid on it. The same guy had an interesting kampillan that I think went quite high.

Jens Nordlunde · 28th June 2019, 10:43 PM

Charles, these weapons are not my speciallity, as you well know, but I take my hat off to you for showing it before and after, you did a very fine job.
Jens

Ian · 29th June 2019, 12:49 AM

Very nice indeed!

I think this is Maranao rather than Maguindanao. Lovely hilt Charles.

Ian

Battara · 29th June 2019, 04:38 AM

Ian I was thinking the same thing. I have seen another Maranao piece similar to this one in every way (only broken scabbard) and unbroken before.

Nice work Charles!

kino · 29th June 2019, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Kino,

To be honest I let it sit overnight because I was so conflicted over cutting the rattan, but what finally pushed me over the edge to cut it was my thinking that with the hilt in the condition it was in, handling it would only make it weaker and weaker, and at some point it might actually break.

The other thing that kept tugging at me was the fact that I know that was not the way the hilt was originally meant to be so "correcting" it would not be a sin even as interesting as it was with the rattan.

I was very surprised I was the only bid on it. The same guy had an interesting kampillan that I think went quite high.

There are issues that you can’t avoid, in this case a broken hilt. That’s why I said that it had to be done.
It surprised me as well that there were no opposing bids. Good for you.

On the subject of the Kampilan, it seems like it was meant to be wielded with a single hand. This one had a shorter light blade. Hopefully it will get posted on the forum for discussion.

28th June 2019, 06:50 PM	#1
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,135	Wow, just wow! That wonderful feeling when a hunch pays off.

28th June 2019, 08:15 PM	#2
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	I love it when a plan come together

28th June 2019, 09:03 PM	#3
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,020	I had the opportunity to handle the kris at the sellers residence during the auction. I really liked it despite the hilt being compromised as Charles had mentioned. I like native repairs, it would be hard for me to snip away the rattan. But it had to be done. Had I not have a similar looking hilt, I would have taken a stab at bidding on it , but going against CharlesS, it would have been a futile attempt. Congrats.

28th June 2019, 09:22 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Kino, To be honest I let it sit overnight because I was so conflicted over cutting the rattan, but what finally pushed me over the edge to cut it was my thinking that with the hilt in the condition it was in, handling it would only make it weaker and weaker, and at some point it might actually break. The other thing that kept tugging at me was the fact that I know that was not the way the hilt was originally meant to be so "correcting" it would not be a sin even as interesting as it was with the rattan. I was very surprised I was the only bid on it. The same guy had an interesting kampillan that I think went quite high.

28th June 2019, 10:43 PM	#5
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Charles, these weapons are not my speciallity, as you well know, but I take my hat off to you for showing it before and after, you did a very fine job. Jens

29th June 2019, 12:49 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,522	Very nice indeed! I think this is Maranao rather than Maguindanao. Lovely hilt Charles. Ian

29th June 2019, 04:38 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Ian I was thinking the same thing. I have seen another Maranao piece similar to this one in every way (only broken scabbard) and unbroken before. Nice work Charles!