New acquisition; Sundang for comment

Ian · 14th September 2015, 12:26 AM

Nice kalis taluseko. I think the blade was probably made in Mindanao in the first half of the 20th C, but the metal decoration on the hilt looks more recent Maranao work with the typical okir motifs and short metal plates. A very clean sword.

Similar kris are fairly common in a few antique stores in and around Zamboanga, and there are a couple of sellers on eBay who work that area and regularly put similar items up for auction. Many items have vintage blades with newer hilts and some are entirely new. Much of what shows up online from these dealers comes from the Lake Lanao region (Maranao people), with some Maguindanao, Tausug and Yakan items as well.

Ian.

kino · 14th September 2015, 01:55 AM

I tend to believe that the metalwork on the hilt is original to the blade. The blade is still beefy, it doesn't seem to have been used much and so it hasn't been thru the grindstone much either. It was probably collected early on in its life. I'm with David on the age estimation.
Going by the number of waves, it's a limaseko.
Nice sword, I like the way the wire was twisted before being inlaid into the blade.
Congrats on a nice catch Mr. drac2k.

drac2k · 14th September 2015, 05:32 AM

Thank you all for the wealth of information and the complements.

Sajen · 14th September 2015, 10:32 AM

Hello Drac2k,

very nice kris indeed and I agree with the others, late 19th century until early 20th century, very nice blade.

At some pictures is to seen that there are traces of an old wrapping under the hilt fittings, can you tell which material it is? On the pictures is look like leather which would be unusual and also would confirm that the hilt fittings of later date IMHO. Personally I would give the hilt a new cord wrapping between the metal rings. Are you going to etch the blade?

Regards,
Detlef

RSWORD · 14th September 2015, 11:47 AM

Nice sword. The blade would benefit from a light etch because I am pretty sure I am seeing signs of twistcore in the center panel. Dave, have a good close look at that center section in good sunlight and see if you can see the pattern.

drac2k · 14th September 2015, 01:22 PM

Wow, you guys are observant. I looked at the material under the bands on the hilt and while it could be some type of cloth or a fish skin, I think it may be a very, very thin leather, with spots darkened by corrosion from previous older or missing bands from the handle.
I thought that the blade might have some type of patterning, but many times that is wishful thinking ;however after holding it under strong natural light, I can say that the center panel is indeed twist core.
I will not etch the blade, as I do not know what I am doing and would not risk harming it.

Sajen · 14th September 2015, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

.... ;however after holding it under strong natural light, I can say that the center panel is indeed twist core.
I will not etch the blade, as I do not know what I am doing and would not risk harming it.

Hello Drac2k,

you couldn't harm the blade when you follow my advice: use a solution from 20% vinegar essence with water, heat it and brush the warm blade with a brush until you see the effect. When you don't like it you can scrub the blade with steel wool until the lamination effect is gone since the effect is only superficial, there isn't any risk to harm the blade, believe me. Don't forget to neutralize the blade with baking soda or soap. An only light scrub with steel wool give the blade back a shiny surface. When you never try it you never will learn it!

This blade is worth to show the twist core lamination.

Best regards,
Detlef

CharlesS · 14th September 2015, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSWORD

Nice sword. The blade would benefit from a light etch because I am pretty sure I am seeing signs of twistcore in the center panel. Dave, have a good close look at that center section in good sunlight and see if you can see the pattern.

Anytime I see well executed fullers, especially silver filled, I am curious about twistcore. Of course it is no guarantee, but it is certainly worth the effort to find out.

Agreeing with Kino and Dave, this was all "born together". It's a shame the cording has worn, but it also confirms age.

Maguindanao blades are typically beefy and wicked sharp...this one looks no different.

Congrats on a good piece!

CCUAL · 14th September 2015, 04:46 PM

Nice kris.

drac2k · 14th September 2015, 11:09 PM

Thanks, the sword is "wicked sharp." Thank you Sajen for the advice on how to etch, however I think that I'll experiment with something else before tackling this one.
Wow , looking at your sword, almost makes me want to try !

Ian · 14th September 2015, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kino

...
Going by the number of waves, it's a limaseko.
...

Kino:

I have noted that lima (meaning five) is the only number that is consistently called the same name in most (if not nearly all) languages of SE Asia. Five is lima in Malay, Indonesian, and a host of Philippine dialects (including Tagalog, Igorot, Cebuano, Warai, Tausug, Maranao, Yakan, and so on). Not sure that this means anything, or adds to the discussion here, just an observation.

Ian.

14th September 2015, 12:26 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Nice kalis taluseko. I think the blade was probably made in Mindanao in the first half of the 20th C, but the metal decoration on the hilt looks more recent Maranao work with the typical okir motifs and short metal plates. A very clean sword. Similar kris are fairly common in a few antique stores in and around Zamboanga, and there are a couple of sellers on eBay who work that area and regularly put similar items up for auction. Many items have vintage blades with newer hilts and some are entirely new. Much of what shows up online from these dealers comes from the Lake Lanao region (Maranao people), with some Maguindanao, Tausug and Yakan items as well. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 14th September 2015 at 12:38 AM.

14th September 2015, 04:46 PM	#9
CCUAL Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 76	Nice kris. Attached Images

14th September 2015, 01:55 AM	#2
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	I tend to believe that the metalwork on the hilt is original to the blade. The blade is still beefy, it doesn't seem to have been used much and so it hasn't been thru the grindstone much either. It was probably collected early on in its life. I'm with David on the age estimation. Going by the number of waves, it's a limaseko. Nice sword, I like the way the wire was twisted before being inlaid into the blade. Congrats on a nice catch Mr. drac2k.

14th September 2015, 05:32 AM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Thank you all for the wealth of information and the complements.

14th September 2015, 10:32 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Hello Drac2k, very nice kris indeed and I agree with the others, late 19th century until early 20th century, very nice blade. At some pictures is to seen that there are traces of an old wrapping under the hilt fittings, can you tell which material it is? On the pictures is look like leather which would be unusual and also would confirm that the hilt fittings of later date IMHO. Personally I would give the hilt a new cord wrapping between the metal rings. Are you going to etch the blade? Regards, Detlef

14th September 2015, 11:47 AM	#5
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Nice sword. The blade would benefit from a light etch because I am pretty sure I am seeing signs of twistcore in the center panel. Dave, have a good close look at that center section in good sunlight and see if you can see the pattern.

14th September 2015, 01:22 PM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Wow, you guys are observant. I looked at the material under the bands on the hilt and while it could be some type of cloth or a fish skin, I think it may be a very, very thin leather, with spots darkened by corrosion from previous older or missing bands from the handle. I thought that the blade might have some type of patterning, but many times that is wishful thinking ;however after holding it under strong natural light, I can say that the center panel is indeed twist core. I will not etch the blade, as I do not know what I am doing and would not risk harming it.

14th September 2015, 11:09 PM	#10
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Thanks, the sword is "wicked sharp." Thank you Sajen for the advice on how to etch, however I think that I'll experiment with something else before tackling this one. Wow , looking at your sword, almost makes me want to try !