Archaic proto-, boy's- or miniature souvenir-kris?

Battara · 23rd January 2008, 09:09 PM

On my silver headed kris on the bottom of the picture you can not see a separation line - I had to look very closely with high magnification to find it.

VVV · 23rd January 2008, 10:06 PM

Back home again.
I just gave it another try with a magnifying lens and a strong light.
There isn't any, all the way, straight ganja.
But maybe there is a well hidden separation line ending with a 45 degree (like the old but not archaic kris)?

Michael

PS Alan, have you tried to etch yours?
Mine didn't show anything at all before I gave it a try.

A. G. Maisey · 23rd January 2008, 10:15 PM

No Michael, I have not yet felt inclined to apply an etch. I may one day, but not in the foreseeable future.

Battara · 23rd January 2008, 10:26 PM

VVV - don't be surprised if the line is straight or les than 45 degrees - this was also common for kris of this era and age.

Bill · 25th January 2008, 01:53 AM

The guard would start at the base of the "flame". Take a look at where the base of the flame would meet the guard. On both of the swords I have, the base, as it is about to hit the guard starts to flair back out to meet the outside of the guard but it is very clear they are separate. It would be near impossible to file a perfect 90 degrees. One of your pics seem to show a separation line under the elephants head. One of my kris is a straight line. The other is straight almost to the end (1/4") & has a perfect curve. That same one has no visible line, on one side where the flame mets the guard & clearly part the stirrup shows wear where the user gripped the hilt & had his thumb on the flame & stirrup. I would guess these guys put in a lot of practice hours & time cleaning from the tropical rust.

VVV · 26th January 2008, 02:25 PM

Thanks for your comments and hints.
I have cleaned the area a bit better and as you can see on the first of the attached pictures on one side the ganja seems to have a 45 degree separation line at the end.

Michael

David · 26th January 2008, 05:08 PM

I knew it ahd to be there somewhere. Actually Michael, i can also see the line in the second photo though not as well. It is amazing that the panday could make such a tight fit, especially with a 45 degree turn like that. I have a very similar hidden line on one of mine, though it is a much later variety of kris.

26th January 2008, 02:25 PM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks for your comments and hints. I have cleaned the area a bit better and as you can see on the first of the attached pictures on one side the ganja seems to have a 45 degree separation line at the end. Michael Attached Images

23rd January 2008, 09:09 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,339	On my silver headed kris on the bottom of the picture you can not see a separation line - I had to look very closely with high magnification to find it.

23rd January 2008, 10:06 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Back home again. I just gave it another try with a magnifying lens and a strong light. There isn't any, all the way, straight ganja. But maybe there is a well hidden separation line ending with a 45 degree (like the old but not archaic kris)? Michael PS Alan, have you tried to etch yours? Mine didn't show anything at all before I gave it a try.

23rd January 2008, 10:15 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,066	No Michael, I have not yet felt inclined to apply an etch. I may one day, but not in the foreseeable future.

23rd January 2008, 10:26 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,339	VVV - don't be surprised if the line is straight or les than 45 degrees - this was also common for kris of this era and age.

25th January 2008, 01:53 AM	#5
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	The guard would start at the base of the "flame". Take a look at where the base of the flame would meet the guard. On both of the swords I have, the base, as it is about to hit the guard starts to flair back out to meet the outside of the guard but it is very clear they are separate. It would be near impossible to file a perfect 90 degrees. One of your pics seem to show a separation line under the elephants head. One of my kris is a straight line. The other is straight almost to the end (1/4") & has a perfect curve. That same one has no visible line, on one side where the flame mets the guard & clearly part the stirrup shows wear where the user gripped the hilt & had his thumb on the flame & stirrup. I would guess these guys put in a lot of practice hours & time cleaning from the tropical rust.

26th January 2008, 05:08 PM	#7
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,240	I knew it ahd to be there somewhere. Actually Michael, i can also see the line in the second photo though not as well. It is amazing that the panday could make such a tight fit, especially with a 45 degree turn like that. I have a very similar hidden line on one of mine, though it is a much later variety of kris.