New Moro kris

[Sajen]

Yesterday I received the kris and I was enjoyable surprised. The handle fittings seem to be from silver plated brass and the asang-asang from silver (not tested until now). The sheath is from very soft wood but is in good condition. I have cleaned all, the blade I start to polish to be able to etch it the next days.
Here some fast taken pictures by lamplight so please excuse the quality.

[Battara]

Congratulations! Silver plate was common among the Maguindanao and Maranao.

Cleaned up nicely. Can't wait to see the laminations in the blade.

[Sajen]

Thank you Jose. The lamination is existent but will need some time until the blade is clean and I have time to etch the blade.

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

I do like the really old blade - nice style and good scrollwork! BTW, what's the blade length?

Is this later pommel style more common in the upriver region rather than downriver? OTOH, since the crest obviously got broken off, it may have been sanded down from more elaborate kakatua forms; the angular grip seems to be a later development on Mindanao though.

The lamination is existent but will need some time until the blade is clean and I have time to etch the blade.

The blade looks clean enough for an etch already. However, make sure to clean the cold shut at the tip thoroughly or you will see active rust creeping out of it rather sooner than later...

If you were feeling adventurous (or bored ), you could try to get the hilt off: Due to the attachment strips running outside the ferrule, there's a good chance that you can detach the asang-asang and hilt without any damage. Of course, this will make cleaning and etching the blade much easier. More important would be IMHO that you could try to reattach the hilt with the attachment strips running inside the ferrule which should look a lot nicer.

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Hello Kai,

thank you for your usual informed comment. The length is 57 cm (22.4 inch). I am not sure that the crest got broken off formerly, I think I have seen this form before but I may be wrong.
The blade wasn't clean down from the hilt at the gangya area but it was done this evening and I have etched the blade. The reaction was very fast and you can see the result by the attached images.
In the moment I am afraid to open the hilt because I am not used with this technic, maybe later when I am trained by this.

Please let all know me what you think about the result, was the etch to strong?

[Battara]

Interesting and subtle laminations...........

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Battara

Interesting and subtle laminations...........

I am very surprised by the very fast reaction and strong contrast since I have had by my other kris blades no reaction or a very low contrast.
What do think about the pommel? Is it recarved or original like this?

Best regards,

Detlef