Unusual kris for id please
 

I picked this kris up today for 40 gbp ,I think ive done ok , is this kris classed as a sword or is it a large dagger ? it looks to have some age , any information would be great , its unusual how the handle is is attached at this angle
thanks

Dimensions please??

hi there the blade alone is 36cm and overall length in scabbard 45cm
thanks

Think it is a Peninsular piece from the North judging from the sampir - the sheath cross-piece. Blade is typical bugis inspired. Angle of the hilt is correct for me for when you hold the hilt like you would a pistol grip, the blade would be flat and lean inwards to the opponent's body for the stab between ribs and inward towards vital organs.

Not sure why you would consider 14 inches as possibly being sword length, but yes, i would certainly classify this as a dagger.
I tend to agree with Paul's description and if you hold this properly that hilt seems to be in a fairly logical position to me.
What no one has said yet is that this appears to be a rather nice keris of this type with a beautiful, well made blade and nice fittings. It does look like the sheath is missing it buntet at the end of the stem, but otherwise it looks complete and in good condition. Though we don't talk money on this forum i still must remark that you seem to have gotten quite a steal on this one. Nice catch! :)

Thanks for your reply and information , I thought this would be too short for a sword but then I thought this is too big for a dagger , but then I'm a novice in this area , thanks for putting light on it ,
should i clean the blade in any way or is it best left alone ?
thanks

Yeah, 14 inches (36cm) is a pretty average length for a keris dagger.
Your photos aren't great, but i don't see any active rust on the blade. It does seem a bit dark for a Peninsula blade, most people don't tend to give warangan treatment to them, but perhaps the previous collector liked it that way. I wouldn't necessarily remove the stain though. If it were mine i would probably hit it with some WD40 and brush it down well with and old toothbrush. Then i would oil it with a fragrant keris oil. I personally prefer a mix of mineral oil with sandalwood and kenanga oil.

This is a very nice keris, you've done well.

For 40 gbp! :O what a find..

What is this pamor called? Gorgeous.

I repeat we don't talk money.
The pamor looks a bit like the Javanese Bendo segodo.

more pics of the pamor
 

here are a few more pictures of the blade , this is the first kris I have ever bought and thanks to this forum learnt a lot about them , I didn't realise how much time and skill went into making these blades , sorry for mentioning money I didn't realise this was a no no on this forum.
the blade is darker than the pictures show , I had to hold the blade so the light reflected right to see the detail (pamor)

Yep, that is a very nicely constructed Bugis blade. Congratulations! Most collectors do not do anywhere near this well on their very first keris. :)

That pendongkok looks like it might clean up as silver with a litte bit of elbow grease and some 0000 steel wool.

I see why you say that Alan and who knows, you may be right, but i don't think i have ever seen this style of pendokok in silver. They generally seem to be brass.
Either why, cleaning the metal up to its original luster would no doubt improve the over all look of the ensemble so if it were mine i would follow your suggestion. ;)

Just to say the pendokok is brass , but I'm unsure whether to clean this or not , it takes brass a long time to go this colour and cleaning it will take all that age away ?

You wouldn't let your antique silverware tarnish would you? :)

I think that keris would appreciate a shiny pendokok; the original owner would not let it tarnish; he would keep it polished.

I agree with Rick on this. I like to maintain my collection as the original owners would when possible. The exterior aspects of the keris (dress) are supposed to be a respected part of ones attire and reflect the status of the wearer. Showing age through tarnished fittings would not be the way such important cultural items would be maintained. :shrug: