Victorian (?) Antler Hilt Kris

Jerseyman · 17th September 2023, 12:07 AM

This feels to me like a Victorian re-hilting of an Indonesian keris.

I hesitate to put it in the keris forum as I'm not sure it's appropriate, but of course I hope the moderators will shift it to whichever forum they believe is correct, with my apologies if I guessed wrong.

The hilt is a large chunk of deer antler with a 2mm thick iron butt plate. It looks clumsy but is surprisingly ergonomic in the hand. It very much seems to me to be an out-of-culture re-hilting. The material brings to mind 19c Scottish hunting knives.

The scabbard is very close fitting flat leather. It's lost the very end and I doubt it ever had a chape. There is no belt loop or any form of attachment, so I'm not sure how it was designed to be worn.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on the possible cultural context for this blade.

Dimensions

Length 42cm
Blade length 30cm
Blade width 6cm > tip
Hilt length 12cm
Hilt width 3cm x 7cm x 4.5cm
Scabbard length 30cm
Scabbard width 6.5cm > broken tip

17th September 2023, 12:07 AM	#1
Jerseyman Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 97	Victorian (?) Antler Hilt Kris This feels to me like a Victorian re-hilting of an Indonesian keris. I hesitate to put it in the keris forum as I'm not sure it's appropriate, but of course I hope the moderators will shift it to whichever forum they believe is correct, with my apologies if I guessed wrong. The hilt is a large chunk of deer antler with a 2mm thick iron butt plate. It looks clumsy but is surprisingly ergonomic in the hand. It very much seems to me to be an out-of-culture re-hilting. The material brings to mind 19c Scottish hunting knives. The scabbard is very close fitting flat leather. It's lost the very end and I doubt it ever had a chape. There is no belt loop or any form of attachment, so I'm not sure how it was designed to be worn. I'd appreciate any thoughts on the possible cultural context for this blade. Dimensions Length 42cm Blade length 30cm Blade width 6cm > tip Hilt length 12cm Hilt width 3cm x 7cm x 4.5cm Scabbard length 30cm Scabbard width 6.5cm > broken tip Attached Images