A Keris for slashing...

[mrwizard]

I just received this keris with rather unusual (or at least unusual for me) fittings. The hilt has been elongated with a piece, so that it can be gripped like a sword sabre.
Blade length is 36cm (14.2'') and build rather robust compared to most other keris i have handled (which actually doesn't mean much ).
Unfortunately, it looks like someone couldn't resist the urge to slash at something an damaged the blade.
Despite those nasty breakouts and some surface-rust the blade is in a remarkably good condition.

I bought it from a descendant of a german noble family. The seller rediscovered it 20 years ago in a closet at the family homestead and (until i told him that it is a keris) assumed it was a custom made short sword for one of his ancestors.
Good thing about nobility is that they tend to keep track of their ancestors, so it was rather easy to find out that one of his ancestors held a command at Batavia in the first half of 19th century. Descendants of this officer lived (or maybe still live) in Padang.

With any luck this could be a 19th century blade that still has its original fittings.

Comments are welcome. Especially on the "mendak" thing

Best Regards,
Thilo

Best Regards