Friends Keris

Rick · 23rd September 2005, 10:56 PM

It looks like it's been rehilted or reshaped .
The Baca baca could be low grade silver .
I like the blade configuration .
It seems hefty enough ; have you held it , everything tight ?

If the price ain't too high , then you could buy . (sorry Snoopdoggy)

Robert · 25th September 2005, 02:21 AM

Rick,
I haven't held it yet but my friend assures me that everything is still tight on the sword. What do you think on its age and origin? Thanks.

Robert

Rick · 25th September 2005, 02:46 AM

You know Robert , I wouldn't want to guess its age , suffice it to say that it is not new .

Most likely this is a blade from Mindanao , but with only Cato's typology to go on personally I would be inclined to say Maguindanao . Ymmv

It would be nice to hear some of the other guys chime in here but you're not exactly getting trampled in the rush to answer your inquiries .

Bill · 25th September 2005, 01:03 PM

For me, the more I learn, the more I realize, the less, I know. Every Moro kris is a unique sword. Every rule, so to speak, seems to get broken. A seperate guardpiece, while generally can tell us something about the age, is not absolute. The same can be said about the blade form. Generally, it seems, in the 1940's there was a revival of the "18thC" form, which is what I think you have. Even with sword in hand, it is sometimes difficult to form an opinion. Your sword looks to be older than the 40's, but I'm not sure, to guess about the age. The hilt and wrap look receint to me, while the ferrule, seems 40's-ish. Having the scabbard, nice blade, nice price; I would buy it.

Battara · 25th September 2005, 08:44 PM

I would say that the blade is older, possibly Maguindanao as Rick mentions. The baka-baka looks to be silver, but the ferrule may be white brass or nickel silver, though not as sure. The rest of the hilt may be as Bill mentions, 1940s, certainly later than the blade in my estimation, especially the condition of the pommel and the rattan. May be even later than that, say, very recent.

Robert · 25th September 2005, 09:21 PM

OK,
Lets get a poll going. Who thinks the blade is 19th century and who thinks it is 20th century?

Rick · 25th September 2005, 09:34 PM

I think it would be strictly a guessing match Robert .
Are you going to buy the darn thing or not ?

23rd September 2005, 10:56 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	It looks like it's been rehilted or reshaped . The Baca baca could be low grade silver . I like the blade configuration . It seems hefty enough ; have you held it , everything tight ? If the price ain't too high , then you could buy . (sorry Snoopdoggy)

25th September 2005, 02:21 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Rick, I haven't held it yet but my friend assures me that everything is still tight on the sword. What do you think on its age and origin? Thanks. Robert

25th September 2005, 02:46 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	You know Robert , I wouldn't want to guess its age , suffice it to say that it is not new . Most likely this is a blade from Mindanao , but with only Cato's typology to go on personally I would be inclined to say Maguindanao . Ymmv It would be nice to hear some of the other guys chime in here but you're not exactly getting trampled in the rush to answer your inquiries .

25th September 2005, 01:03 PM	#4
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	For me, the more I learn, the more I realize, the less, I know. Every Moro kris is a unique sword. Every rule, so to speak, seems to get broken. A seperate guardpiece, while generally can tell us something about the age, is not absolute. The same can be said about the blade form. Generally, it seems, in the 1940's there was a revival of the "18thC" form, which is what I think you have. Even with sword in hand, it is sometimes difficult to form an opinion. Your sword looks to be older than the 40's, but I'm not sure, to guess about the age. The hilt and wrap look receint to me, while the ferrule, seems 40's-ish. Having the scabbard, nice blade, nice price; I would buy it.

25th September 2005, 08:44 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I would say that the blade is older, possibly Maguindanao as Rick mentions. The baka-baka looks to be silver, but the ferrule may be white brass or nickel silver, though not as sure. The rest of the hilt may be as Bill mentions, 1940s, certainly later than the blade in my estimation, especially the condition of the pommel and the rattan. May be even later than that, say, very recent.

25th September 2005, 09:21 PM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	OK, Lets get a poll going. Who thinks the blade is 19th century and who thinks it is 20th century?

25th September 2005, 09:34 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	I think it would be strictly a guessing match Robert . Are you going to buy the darn thing or not ?