Big Kris found here (Carmarthen)

An 18th century Asian sword has been found on a Welsh riverbed

The bed of the River Towy, just downstream from the town’s B&Q store, is probably the last place you would think to uncover a historic artefact, but one coracleman had a surprise catch. Andrew Davies, a coracleman for more than 30 years, dredged up what is believed to be an 18th century Kris sword of Asian origin while casting his net. An investigation is underway to see if it has been at the bottom of the Towy for two centuries.

Mr Davies, who is chairman of the Carmarthen Coracle and Netsman Association, said: “I was out one night in my coracle and the net was cast, when I pulled it in there was this sword in there. “It was quite a surprise to be honest, not the usual sort of catch. I was just between the two river bridges where coracle fishing takes place and this was found just below B&Q."

Mr Davies added: “I took it straight up to the museum because I thought it would be good to get it checked and to find out anything about it. “I’d love to know how did it end up in the Towy, it’s fascinating”

Curator at Carmarthenshire museum Gavin Evans said he had sent photos of the rusted and well corroded blade to a museum in London but has not had any feedback yet. Speaking from the county museum in Abergwili Mr Evans said: “I haven’t heard anything back from the museum yet but the sword is of Asian origin, south east Asia, Malaysia or Indonesia.”

“At first I thought it might have been Roman but it has a far more exotic story than that I suspect. It is a Kris and would have had quite an ornate blade on it. The handle is wood with what seems to be an ornate bird made of bone and there is also some copper like material on it as well. I suspect it has been under mud before it was netted and that’s how it has not corroded further, now however, without being in water it will start to deteriorate further.

“How it ended up in the Towy has many possibilities. Carmarthen was well known as a port and it may have been dropped or fallen overboard. Or there is always the possibility of a more sinister explanation. Could it be a murder weapon that was tossed into the river many many years ago? Who knows, but its very interesting. To think that a blade from Asia has found its way all the way to this corner of Wales is impressive to think.”

The sword has been returned to Mr Davies and the netsmen association.

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/mystery-surrounds...