Very old Moro kris

[CCUAL]

the handle was greatly damaged but i will keep it as-is.

[mariusgmioc]

Hmmm... now, after seing the "pamor" I wonder if it isn't later 19th century?!

The pattern is rather elaborate for a 18th century... I guess...

[Sajen]

I've said already that I am green with envy??

I personally would look to get the hilt restored.

Regards,
Detlef

[CCUAL]

Originally Posted by Sajen

I've said already that I am green with envy??

I personally would look to get the hilt restored.

Regards,
Detlef

Hi Detlef, I am re-thinking what you have said, restoring the hilt, issue is that one side has deteriorated over time and part of the wood is now gone, you can see it from the photo, the other side has flared 3-4mm and it created four spiral cracks, I am afraid that if I heated blade and start rocking it back and fort it will fall apart leaving me just the pommel in the end. Any recommendation on how this resto should be done? Thanks

[Ian]

The original auction pictures seem to show charring of the wooden hilt, indicating that it had been in a fire. No self respecting Moro would have left such a valuable (and historic?) sword in this condition, so it seems this could have been a battlefield pick-up, perhaps by a US serviceman during one of the conflicts with Moro insurgents in the early 1900s. If that is the case, I would not restore the hilt as it may be an important part of the sword's history.

Even though this sword is plainly dressed, definitely a "fighter," it is a fine example of a very good quality older kris blade perhaps owned by a prominent person. Do you have any provenance from the seller?

Ian.

[CCUAL]

Ian, no provenance provided by the seller besides his note on the auction that it once belonged to a world traveler that collected many things while overseas.

You are right, i'll keep 'em as-is. Thanks

[David]

Originally Posted by Ian

The original auction pictures seem to show charring of the wooden hilt, indicating that it had been in a fire. No self respecting Moro would have left such a valuable (and historic?) sword in this condition, so it seems this could have been a battlefield pick-up, perhaps by a US serviceman during one of the conflicts with Moro insurgents in the early 1900s. If that is the case, I would not restore the hilt as it may be an important part of the sword's history.

You could simply wrap the hilt with some material that would give it a better over all appearance, yet not make any undoable repair if you ever wanted to revert it to its original form.

[CCUAL]

I had time to burn today, instead of staring at my tv, i decided to re-etched this two krises. Both were from ebay.

[Battara]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Hmmm... now, after seing the "pamor" I wonder if it isn't later 19th century?!

The pattern is rather elaborate for a 18th century... I guess...

Actually earlier 18th century examples often have double twist core centers. The later one goes in time, the less often we see the double twist core in kris blades.

So as I said earlier, I would place this in the 18th century. The double twist core supports my thesis.

Again Christian, congratulations. This might be a captured piece, or perhaps a Moro who switched sides. If it could only talk..........

[David]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Hmmm... now, after seing the "pamor" I wonder if it isn't later 19th century?!

The pattern is rather elaborate for a 18th century... I guess...

I would agree with José here. Many of what seem to be 18th C Moro kris seem to have twisted cores like this. This one os a beauty though.