Odd Ghost on Bugis Gandar

RobT · 19th June 2025, 08:26 PM

Hi All,

As you can see, a pretty straight forward Bugis keris (9 luk, 14.24” [36.195cm] blade) with a missing buntut. The thing that puzzles me is what appears to be the ghost of a metal band at the bottom of the gandar. Since there is no rebate at the bottom of the gandar, the band would have stood proud of the wood. I have provided photos of both sides of the gandar. The change in color is more pronounced on one side than on the other but it is visible on both sides. I plan to replace the buntut and want to match what was originally there. In order to do so, I would like to have the questions below answered (pictures would be great also).
Did Bugis sheaths ever have a metal band incorporated with the standard Bugis buntut foot?
If there were bands, where were they soldered, back or side (which side)?
If there were bands, were they plain and/or engraved?

Sincerely,
RobT

19th June 2025, 08:26 PM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 554	Odd Ghost on Bugis Gandar Hi All, As you can see, a pretty straight forward Bugis keris (9 luk, 14.24” [36.195cm] blade) with a missing buntut. The thing that puzzles me is what appears to be the ghost of a metal band at the bottom of the gandar. Since there is no rebate at the bottom of the gandar, the band would have stood proud of the wood. I have provided photos of both sides of the gandar. The change in color is more pronounced on one side than on the other but it is visible on both sides. I plan to replace the buntut and want to match what was originally there. In order to do so, I would like to have the questions below answered (pictures would be great also). Did Bugis sheaths ever have a metal band incorporated with the standard Bugis buntut foot? If there were bands, where were they soldered, back or side (which side)? If there were bands, were they plain and/or engraved? Sincerely, RobT Attached Images