Old kris for comment

Henk · 19th March 2010, 10:18 PM

Seeing many kris, sundang for comment i would like to post one of mine.

This one has no scabbard. What kind of scabbard does this one need? What about the hilt? It has no bacca bacca, but i cann't remove it.
Length of the blade without hilt is 60 cm or 23,5 inch. With hilt 74 cm or 29 inch. Blade is still rather sharp.

I look forward to your comments.

Marcokeris · 19th March 2010, 11:45 PM

It seems very very nice (i never seen one like this) and old

ThePepperSkull · 20th March 2010, 03:46 AM

Usually when I see a Kris with a keyed tang repair, it either appreas that it was done so in haste or there is an attempt to make the repair match the rest of the blade by polishing it down, yet there is still that signature rectangular silhouette on the blade.

I haven't seen this before, however. The repair was not made in an attempt integrate the new tang into the current aesthetic of the blade, but set itself apart where it even outlines or showcases it... yet it looks like it belongs there. I really quite like it. Haven't seen anything like this before, I wonder if keyed tang repairs that look this attractive or purposeful is more common than i think.

kai · 20th March 2010, 04:47 AM

Hello Henk,

Thanks for sharing this - I have a sweet spot or odd pieces!

Is there any hint that the blade may be European?

The base resembles Indian swords and it may be an attempt to integrate a foreign blade into a Moro kris rather than being a repair...

The pommel is also unusual (or rather unique AFAIK).

Despite the patina and based on workmanship, I'm inclined to believe that this piece represents a later attempt (turn of the 19th century?) rather than an older style.

Regards,
Kai

ThePepperSkull · 20th March 2010, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Henk,

Thanks for sharing this - I have a sweet spot or odd pieces!

Is there any hint that the blade may be European?

The base resembles Indian swords and it may be an attempt to integrate a foreign blade into a Moro kris rather than being a repair...

The pommel is also unusual (or rather unique AFAIK).

Despite the patina and based on workmanship, I'm inclined to believe that this piece represents a later attempt (turn of the 19th century?) rather than an older style.

Regards,
Kai

I had never thought about that! Very interesting observation about the similarity in Indian blades. The 'guard' on this reminds me of an indonesian (Acehnese?) Peudeueng Peusangan, which has a hilt influenced by Indian design:

Another good observation about the manufacture date. The carving of the greneng definitely looks more recent than 18th century.

Where do you think this particular blade comes from, Kai? It's a complete mystery to me. I'd say it looks Malay peninsula to me, but my personal assessment is not based off of much.

Henk · 20th March 2010, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Henk,

Thanks for sharing this - I have a sweet spot or odd pieces!

Is there any hint that the blade may be European?

The base resembles Indian swords and it may be an attempt to integrate a foreign blade into a Moro kris rather than being a repair...

The pommel is also unusual (or rather unique AFAIK).

Despite the patina and based on workmanship, I'm inclined to believe that this piece represents a later attempt (turn of the 19th century?) rather than an older style.

Regards,
Kai

Kai,

My pleasure to share it with you all.

There is no hint that the blade might be European. It has no marks or anything else that could be identified. If such a mark was present i certainly would have made a picture of it.

The blade fits the base with tang like a blade fits into its scabbard. It could be a repair or using, as suggested a foreign blade into a Moro kris.

But, to be honest, i haven't the slightest idea about it. I hope to get some more information from our knowledgeable forummembers.
As mentioned both edges are still rather sharp. Holding it in my hands i'm convinced it is in battle a nasty weapon.

Maurice · 20th March 2010, 07:40 PM

Another headbreaker........

Thank you for sharing this nice one, Henk.

VANDOO · 20th March 2010, 07:48 PM

I BID ON SOMETHING SIMULAR ON EBAY A WHILE BACK BUT THE PICTURES WERE NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO TELL MUCH, OTHER THAN THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS KRIS. IT IS EITHER A NON TRADITIONAL METHOD TO REPAIR A BROKEN TANG OR A MODIFICATION TO STRENGTHEN AND ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR BACA BACA STRAPS

. EITHER WAY IT APPEARS TO BE VERY STRONGLY MOUNTED NOW, I SEE THREE PINS THRU THE BLADE AND TANG AND THERE MAY BE MORE UNDER THE WRAP ON THE HANDLE. AN X RAY WOULD SHOW IF THE ORIGINAL TANG WAS BROKEN AND HIGHLIGHT ANY OTHER PINS OR HOLES IN THE TANG. ALL IN ALL A VERY INTERESTING, STRONG AND ATTRACTIVE MODIFICATION.

THANKS FOR SHAREING

Henk · 20th March 2010, 10:22 PM

Maurice,

My pleasure.

Vandoo,

It is a very strong construction indeed. The tang with the base of this kris is mounted with two pins to the blade. The third pin through the tang is a simple nail in the hilt just passing the tang. I can remove that nail, but the hilt cann't be removed. Don't know the purpose of the nail but it is an old one and i just leave it there.

19th March 2010, 10:18 PM	#1
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Old kris for comment Seeing many kris, sundang for comment i would like to post one of mine. This one has no scabbard. What kind of scabbard does this one need? What about the hilt? It has no bacca bacca, but i cann't remove it. Length of the blade without hilt is 60 cm or 23,5 inch. With hilt 74 cm or 29 inch. Blade is still rather sharp. I look forward to your comments. Attached Images

19th March 2010, 11:45 PM	#2
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	It seems very very nice (i never seen one like this) and old

20th March 2010, 03:46 AM	#3
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Usually when I see a Kris with a keyed tang repair, it either appreas that it was done so in haste or there is an attempt to make the repair match the rest of the blade by polishing it down, yet there is still that signature rectangular silhouette on the blade. I haven't seen this before, however. The repair was not made in an attempt integrate the new tang into the current aesthetic of the blade, but set itself apart where it even outlines or showcases it... yet it looks like it belongs there. I really quite like it. Haven't seen anything like this before, I wonder if keyed tang repairs that look this attractive or purposeful is more common than i think.

20th March 2010, 04:47 AM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Henk, Thanks for sharing this - I have a sweet spot or odd pieces! Is there any hint that the blade may be European? The base resembles Indian swords and it may be an attempt to integrate a foreign blade into a Moro kris rather than being a repair... The pommel is also unusual (or rather unique AFAIK). Despite the patina and based on workmanship, I'm inclined to believe that this piece represents a later attempt (turn of the 19th century?) rather than an older style. Regards, Kai

20th March 2010, 07:40 PM	#7
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,346	Another headbreaker........ Thank you for sharing this nice one, Henk.

20th March 2010, 07:48 PM	#8
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I BID ON SOMETHING SIMULAR ON EBAY A WHILE BACK BUT THE PICTURES WERE NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO TELL MUCH, OTHER THAN THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS KRIS. IT IS EITHER A NON TRADITIONAL METHOD TO REPAIR A BROKEN TANG OR A MODIFICATION TO STRENGTHEN AND ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR BACA BACA STRAPS . EITHER WAY IT APPEARS TO BE VERY STRONGLY MOUNTED NOW, I SEE THREE PINS THRU THE BLADE AND TANG AND THERE MAY BE MORE UNDER THE WRAP ON THE HANDLE. AN X RAY WOULD SHOW IF THE ORIGINAL TANG WAS BROKEN AND HIGHLIGHT ANY OTHER PINS OR HOLES IN THE TANG. ALL IN ALL A VERY INTERESTING, STRONG AND ATTRACTIVE MODIFICATION. THANKS FOR SHAREING

20th March 2010, 10:22 PM	#9
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Maurice, My pleasure. Vandoo, It is a very strong construction indeed. The tang with the base of this kris is mounted with two pins to the blade. The third pin through the tang is a simple nail in the hilt just passing the tang. I can remove that nail, but the hilt cann't be removed. Don't know the purpose of the nail but it is an old one and i just leave it there.