Tell tale signs of fake?

Jim McDougall · 31st October 2010, 05:37 PM

Very nicely handled gentlemen! A most concerning and delicate topic, and your nicely worded comments remind us to use caution when addressing it.
Thank you,
Best regards,
Jim

Battara · 31st October 2010, 09:33 PM

IT also depends on what your interests are. Some indicators change a little from one type to another.

And if the blade is made of plastic.........well..........er.............um... .........

Rick · 1st November 2010, 01:12 AM

I am very glad that I collected my Moro stuff in the early years and before the fakers bloomed .
I have acquired enough old genuine pieces to satisfy my desires .

As for Indonesian work I would only use a reputable dealer for either old pieces or quality new work, which I do not consider 'fake' unless misrepresented as old .

A. G. Maisey · 1st November 2010, 03:55 AM

Beginning in about 1978 I have dealt internationally in Indonesian , South East Asian, and other edged weapons.

At least once a week I get a query from somebody, somewhere in the world to give an opinion as to whether something listed in either Ebay, another auction site, or the site of another dealer , is what it is claimed to be, and whether it is old or recent.

Sometimes I am able to give a positive answer that identifies it as old, or new , or altered, or whatever, but even when I give that positive answer it is qualified by something like:- "based upon what I can see in the pictures".

Mostly I cannot provide an answer that I am prepared to stand behind. In other words, most times I simply do not know what I am looking at.

I have been involved with keris for more than 55 years; I have bought keris and other weapons in Indonesia for more than 44 years; I have extensive experience in restoration of keris and other weapons, and in the making of edged weapons including keris.

In spite of this experience I do not buy on the basis of photographs from people I do not know.

Why?

Because I cannot tell with any certainty what I am being asked to part with money for.

I regard the risk of getting other than what I want to be too high.

eques · 7th November 2010, 05:03 AM

Thanks for the comment. I guess at this point it would be best to get one from a reputable ebay seller. As for the bolo I was interested, I realized that most people cast their bids at the very last minute and got way higher than my asking price. lol.

31st October 2010, 05:37 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,294	Very nicely handled gentlemen! A most concerning and delicate topic, and your nicely worded comments remind us to use caution when addressing it. Thank you, Best regards, Jim

31st October 2010, 09:33 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	IT also depends on what your interests are. Some indicators change a little from one type to another. And if the blade is made of plastic.........well..........er.............um... .........

1st November 2010, 01:12 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	I am very glad that I collected my Moro stuff in the early years and before the fakers bloomed . I have acquired enough old genuine pieces to satisfy my desires . As for Indonesian work I would only use a reputable dealer for either old pieces or quality new work, which I do not consider 'fake' unless misrepresented as old .

1st November 2010, 03:55 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,017	Beginning in about 1978 I have dealt internationally in Indonesian , South East Asian, and other edged weapons. At least once a week I get a query from somebody, somewhere in the world to give an opinion as to whether something listed in either Ebay, another auction site, or the site of another dealer , is what it is claimed to be, and whether it is old or recent. Sometimes I am able to give a positive answer that identifies it as old, or new , or altered, or whatever, but even when I give that positive answer it is qualified by something like:- "based upon what I can see in the pictures". Mostly I cannot provide an answer that I am prepared to stand behind. In other words, most times I simply do not know what I am looking at. I have been involved with keris for more than 55 years; I have bought keris and other weapons in Indonesia for more than 44 years; I have extensive experience in restoration of keris and other weapons, and in the making of edged weapons including keris. In spite of this experience I do not buy on the basis of photographs from people I do not know. Why? Because I cannot tell with any certainty what I am being asked to part with money for. I regard the risk of getting other than what I want to be too high.

7th November 2010, 05:03 AM	#5
eques Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 6	Thanks for the comment. I guess at this point it would be best to get one from a reputable ebay seller. As for the bolo I was interested, I realized that most people cast their bids at the very last minute and got way higher than my asking price. lol.