Original 19th Century Philippine Moro Kris Curved Blade Short Sword with Wood Scabbard – Kalis Original Items

Original Item: One Only. This is an excellent Kris style short sword from the Philippines, as used by the Mor people. The collective term Moro people or Bangsamoro people refers to the 13 Islamized ethnolinguistic groups of Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan. They had fought against the United States during the Philippine-American War of 1899 – 1902, in which the Moro tribe rebelled against American rule. The insurrection had been going on since the early 1890s, when the Spanish still claimed the Philippines as their Colony. However, after their defeat by the United States in the Spanish American War, the Philippine islands were ceded to the U.S.. Most of the Moro tribe actually continued the struggle until their final defeat in 1913.

During WWII, The Moros fought against the Japanese occupation of Mindanao and Sulu during World War II and eventually drove them out. Also when the Japanese occupied the northern Borneo area, they also helped their relatives there in a struggle to fight off the Japanese where many of them, including women and children, were massacred after their revolt with the Chinese had been foiled by the Japanese.

When the U.S. defeated Japan and the Philippines were freed, many U.S. serviceman brought back mementos from the Islands, which sadly had suffered large losses of life due to Japanese occupation.

This short sword is made in the traditional Kris (Kalis) style and form with scabbard. The basic design is the same throughout the area, but only in the Philippine Islands did it evolve into a sword. This example dates to the 1880-1895 period, and has a 21 inch very slightly curved double edged blade. It is just over 1 1/2 inches wide for most of the blade, and tapers to a point at the tip. The bottom of the blade has some ornamentation added, which looks to be made from silver or aluminum sheet metal. The grip is bound with lacquered braided string, and embossed white metal fittings, terminating in a wooden “birds head” made with beautiful figured wood. Definitely an upmarket example here!

Condition is very good, showing some surface oxidation on the blade, most likely from being in contact with the wooden scabbard. We have left this intact to preserve the lovely patina of age it has.

It comes contained in the original wood scabbard, made from two pieces of wood held together by but sheet nickel fittings at the top, middle, and bottom, which also has some copper bands and embossed designs. The top of the scabbard is a separate piece of wood, called the sampir, which protects the crossguard of the blade. It fits it like a glove on this lovely example. The scabbard is really lovely, with the only issue being the crack and missing portion near the middle band.

Please See Stone’s Glossary page 390 to see various styles of these Philippine Moro Swords.

Very interesting, ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade length: 21”
Blade Style: Straight “Kris”
Overall length: 26”
Scabbard length: 23 1/4”