Another Moro Kris for comment!

Bill · 21st July 2007, 03:53 AM

[QUOTE=kai]

The grip rings look legit but I also suspect that the pommel is a replacement; possibly also the brass ferrule.

The grip rings are machine made, you can buy them from large jewlery suppy houses (you buy by the inch) & the ferrule has been cut with a rotary drill like a Dremel. It appears to be ivory but I'm not sure what type. Because a crack has been filled does not suggest age, rather the project was started with a cracked piece. I have a Ivory kris that has fairly good providence that it was made around 1965 & already has patina. Someone went to a lot of effort & spent on materials.Everything but the blade, stirrup, & perhaps the wood from the scabbard is done within the last 5 years.

kai · 21st July 2007, 09:33 PM

Quote:

The grip rings are machine made, you can buy them from large jewlery suppy houses (you buy by the inch) & the ferrule has been cut with a rotary drill like a Dremel.

Uuuh, I glanced over the ring details; they appear to have been soldered into place, too.

I didn't want to sound too paranoid but Bill seems to be right...

Quote:

I have a Ivory kris that has fairly good providence that it was made around 1965 & already has patina.

Ivory often gets patinated which makes it very difficult to ascertain age.

Quote:

Everything but the blade, stirrup, & perhaps the wood from the scabbard is done within the last 5 years.

Yup, that's quite possible. Thanks, Bill!

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 22nd July 2007, 05:39 AM

HI folks - been away for a couple of days. ....I won't repeat what has already been said. I will say that the entire hilt is brand new - the silver work has rings that were made of cast pattern wire made within the past 10 years and then soft soldered, not the kind of work done back then nor of great quality. Also the brass work at the bottom is engraved - again not what was done in true Moro work and the engravings are poorly done. The pommel I suspect is plastic or some other material other than ivory. If ivory, not old ivory and roughly carved and done in a style not in keeping with Moro traditions of even the early 20th century.

I would be curious to see if the blade is laminated - ganga looks like it could be separate, but can't tell as easily from the photos. Sorry for the bad news.

21st July 2007, 03:53 AM	#1
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	[QUOTE=kai] The grip rings look legit but I also suspect that the pommel is a replacement; possibly also the brass ferrule. The grip rings are machine made, you can buy them from large jewlery suppy houses (you buy by the inch) & the ferrule has been cut with a rotary drill like a Dremel. It appears to be ivory but I'm not sure what type. Because a crack has been filled does not suggest age, rather the project was started with a cracked piece. I have a Ivory kris that has fairly good providence that it was made around 1965 & already has patina. Someone went to a lot of effort & spent on materials.Everything but the blade, stirrup, & perhaps the wood from the scabbard is done within the last 5 years.

22nd July 2007, 05:39 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	HI folks - been away for a couple of days. ....I won't repeat what has already been said. I will say that the entire hilt is brand new - the silver work has rings that were made of cast pattern wire made within the past 10 years and then soft soldered, not the kind of work done back then nor of great quality. Also the brass work at the bottom is engraved - again not what was done in true Moro work and the engravings are poorly done. The pommel I suspect is plastic or some other material other than ivory. If ivory, not old ivory and roughly carved and done in a style not in keeping with Moro traditions of even the early 20th century. I would be curious to see if the blade is laminated - ganga looks like it could be separate, but can't tell as easily from the photos. Sorry for the bad news.