Unusual Kris Hilt for Comment

RobT · 17th December 2023, 05:21 PM

Hi All,

Save for the unusual fullers and grooves at the base, the blade is typical (albeit well done) but I have never seen a hilt with a pommel like the one on this kris. To me it looks more Bagobo or T’boli-ish than what I would expect on a conventional kris. (If the hilt were a good deal larger and slightly more crooked, it would do well as a French dueling pistol grip.) The wood, very finely grained and almost without figure, isn’t binate or anything else I am familiar with. Before examining it with a hand lens, I had suspected that it was dyed horn. There are some carved designs where the hilt wrap ends and also on the pommel. Although the wood of the hilt is in perfect condition, I believe that the blade and hilt have been together for quite some time because the baca baca strap has worn almost completely through the hilt wrap on the back side and the strap on the underside has worn through a bit also.
Specs:
Blade; about 21.5” (54.6cm) long
Hilt; about 6” (15.2cm) long
Ferrule; very pale yellow (almost white) brass
Hilt Wrap; fine cord
Baca Baca; appear to have a high nickel content because they are only weakly magnetic
Baca Baca Straps; apparently copper

Sincerely,
RobT

kai · 17th December 2023, 08:41 PM

I'd vote for Moro, Rob!

Ian · 17th December 2023, 09:10 PM

Looks all Moro to me too. That 20th C grip wrap is usually seen on Sulu kris.

SanibelSwassa · 18th December 2023, 02:06 AM

These are Moro pieces from my collection. I believe these are Seko or horse hoof hilts and became more popular after the fall of the last sultanate. With that said I’m definitely open to input and wisdom from others that can shine more light on the subject.

Sajen · 18th December 2023, 03:10 PM

Here are two more in a similar style.

JeffS · 18th December 2023, 04:28 PM

Another. The carving is nicely done.

17th December 2023, 05:21 PM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 456	Unusual Kris Hilt for Comment Hi All, Save for the unusual fullers and grooves at the base, the blade is typical (albeit well done) but I have never seen a hilt with a pommel like the one on this kris. To me it looks more Bagobo or T’boli-ish than what I would expect on a conventional kris. (If the hilt were a good deal larger and slightly more crooked, it would do well as a French dueling pistol grip.) The wood, very finely grained and almost without figure, isn’t binate or anything else I am familiar with. Before examining it with a hand lens, I had suspected that it was dyed horn. There are some carved designs where the hilt wrap ends and also on the pommel. Although the wood of the hilt is in perfect condition, I believe that the blade and hilt have been together for quite some time because the baca baca strap has worn almost completely through the hilt wrap on the back side and the strap on the underside has worn through a bit also. Specs: Blade; about 21.5” (54.6cm) long Hilt; about 6” (15.2cm) long Ferrule; very pale yellow (almost white) brass Hilt Wrap; fine cord Baca Baca; appear to have a high nickel content because they are only weakly magnetic Baca Baca Straps; apparently copper Sincerely, RobT Attached Images Last edited by RobT; 17th December 2023 at 05:24 PM. Reason: extra period & word deleted

18th December 2023, 02:06 AM	#4
SanibelSwassa Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Sanibel Florida Posts: 104	A couple of similar hilts to add to the discussion These are Moro pieces from my collection. I believe these are Seko or horse hoof hilts and became more popular after the fall of the last sultanate. With that said I’m definitely open to input and wisdom from others that can shine more light on the subject. Attached Images

18th December 2023, 03:10 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,557	Here are two more in a similar style. Attached Images

18th December 2023, 04:28 PM	#6
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 308	Another. The carving is nicely done. Attached Images

17th December 2023, 08:41 PM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,221	I'd vote for Moro, Rob!

17th December 2023, 09:10 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,041	Looks all Moro to me too. That 20th C grip wrap is usually seen on Sulu kris.