Keris for comments

[A. G. Maisey]

From what I can see this pesi and gonjo look totally original.

I've reposted your pic and lightened it up a bit. You can see clearly the grain of the metal running from blade to pesi.

The slightly enlarged diameter of the base of the pesi is not unusual.

Araldite and similar modern adhesives have been used in the conservation of keris since at least the 1970's. The purpose is to provide a seal against corrosion on the bottom of the pesi and base of the blade. In an old blade like this one it provides the additional advantage of fixing the pesi without running the risk of damaging the pesi by attempting a pressure fit:- there is simply not enough meat in that pesi to give anything like an acceptable pressure fit. When you refit the pesi I suggest you also use araldite.The bright metal indicates preparation for use of the adhesive.

A gold pin will definitely work as a retaining pin on a tightly fitted replacement pesi; you're only looking at retention of something that is already held in place by pressure, and the shear strength of gold is more than sufficient for this purpose.

However, having seen this keris stripped down, I think that we are looking at a protective device with this pin.