Interesting Philippine Sundang for comment

[drac2k]

Here is an interesting massive Sundang that I just acquired; as you can see, there is a lot going on in the blade. The handle is in bad disrepair.

[DaveS]

Originally Posted by drac2k

Here is an interesting massive Sundang that I just acquired; as you can see, there is a lot going on in the blade. The handle is in bad disrepair.

drac2k: You have a nice clean blade with good inlays. I think this is an early 50s piece. I have one similar but with an intact asang and handle. Too bad the pommel is broken. There is a dealer on ebay who has some very nice new moro handles that are made in the correct style. This could be one way you could go if you feel like doing any restoration...........Dave.

[drac2k]

Thanks Dave, I thought it could be post WW2, but it is of pretty good quality; are the inlays silver ? It is a distinctive blade; any way of knowing who made it ?
It would be great seeing yours, intact.Any chance ?

[Sajen]

Hello Drac2k,

yes, agree with Dave, a post WWII blade of nice quality, the sharp luks indicate it as later blade. If the inlays are from silver you only can test byself with silver test or let it test by a jeweler. Like Dave said there is a dealer who sell time by time nice handles but maybe you can grind it down to a form like this one from my own collection: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12825
Handle wrapping can be done easily, the biggest concern will be the missing asang-asang.

Regards,
Detlef

[Gustav]

In original auction listing it was going as part of the William Herbert McGinty collection. Collected between the late 1800's and early 1900's, in storage since 1930's.

I don't thrust auction descriptions much, and it looks like quite later then early 1900's kris to me also, yet could we expect a separate Ganja on a post WWII example?

It seems to be evident that pointy luks appeared already around 1900:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...aranao+sundang

[Gustav]

Related blades of some interest:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...0940#post70940

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ight=naga+kris

[kai]

Hello Gustav,

In original auction listing it was going as part of the William Herbert McGinty collection. Collected between the late 1800's and early 1900's, in storage since 1930's.

I don't thrust auction descriptions much, and it looks like quite later then early 1900's kris to me also, yet could we expect a separate Ganja on a post WWII example?

Sure, there are post-WW2 kris with seperate gangya, usually kalis from Sulu though.

I agree that auction listings have to be taken with a lump of salt.

However, this kris is of very decent quality and, even with only the pics to go by, I'd suggest a pre-1930 origin. As you already mentioned, there are more examples that are pretty much in line with this example, especially if we assume that "early 1900's" is not meant very strictly...

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Congrats, a very good bargain you got there!

I thought it could be post WW2, but it is of pretty good quality; are the inlays silver ? It is a distinctive blade; any way of knowing who made it ?

I believe this could well be Maranao, possibly from the Lake Lanao area.

I don't think we'll be able to pin down the panday who crafted this blade - it's probably more like a recognizable style which was in fashion during an extended period and possibly crafted by a number of (possibly unrelated) bladesmiths. At least there are varying qualities if you compare several similar pieces.

I'm fairly convinced that the inlay is silver. If it tarnishes like silver a while after polishing, you probably won't need to test it. Brass inlay is more difficult to work with and this is quality work done for a customer who could afford to pay for silver.

I believe that Detlef's sugggestion to recarve the remaining pommel is certainly worth a try. Get Jose to do some metal bands for the gripping area if you like to restore the original appearance as much as possible.

Are you going to etch the blade? I believe it could be worth it!

Regards,
Kai

[DaveS]

Originally Posted by drac2k

Thanks Dave, I thought it could be post WW2, but it is of pretty good quality; are the inlays silver ? It is a distinctive blade; any way of knowing who made it ?
It would be great seeing yours, intact.Any chance ?

drac2k: Here is mine. Aside from the silver handle, it is virtually identical to yours. I still feel that this a late 40s early 50s kris. One way to tell if something is silver is to put a dab of full strength ferric chloride on the part to be tested. If it is silver it will turn black or at least a darker color depending on the percentage of alloy it contains.....works for me............Dave.

[drac2k]

Great blade and great handle ! Thanks for the info.After reading all of the threads, I could go either way, but now I'm leaning towards the 1930's theory ; either way, I'm happy with the kris .

[Amuk Murugul]

redundancy