Need help with a kris

Battara · 12th August 2008, 02:11 AM

Yeah, I too think this is the real deal. Not unknown that the pommel is pinned to the hilt - I have seen this before and in fact have the same treatment on my older one (very similar) - quality burled wood is difficult to carve and hard to come by in large sizes. A smaller example is easier to find and less costly.

Also, the blade carving does not bother me. I'll bet that a good etch might reveal a twist core in the middle.

Ferguson · 12th August 2008, 10:48 AM

Thank you gentlemen for all of your replies. This kris is so different from everything I've seen so far. I really wasn't sure what I had.

I'll probably wrap the hilt in some coconut fiber twine that was given to me by a kind forum member. Then I'll coat it with some black resin.

Here's the ebay auction that it came from. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=016

Steve

Flavio · 12th August 2008, 10:53 AM

Hi Steve,

I see from the auction link that there is also a scabbard to restore....!!! Very nice, show us the different fases of the restoration

Flavio

Bill · 12th August 2008, 12:03 PM

Even nicer you got a "wooden case" with it. Can you add some pics of that, it too looks like it's got some age. If the seller is correct & it came post war Japan it sure doesn't help figuring out where they came from. I agree with your observation that these are "different"; too bad they can't tell us their story.
The pommel fitting appears older then the fitting holding the baca-baca. While the gangya appears to have been made to hold a stirrup; I wonder if the original hilt/stirrup/fitting were damaged & repairs were made to save the original kakatua but added a new stirrup & fitting. From the looks it would have been a very old repair.
Wrapping it in abaca would likely be the last way it was while in use, but it also looks nice just the way it is. Sort of let's it talk about himself. Whatever you decide it'll have a great home & caregiver.

Battara · 13th August 2008, 02:26 AM

It may have also had a plain silver band or two in the middle......

12th August 2008, 02:11 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Yeah, I too think this is the real deal. Not unknown that the pommel is pinned to the hilt - I have seen this before and in fact have the same treatment on my older one (very similar) - quality burled wood is difficult to carve and hard to come by in large sizes. A smaller example is easier to find and less costly. Also, the blade carving does not bother me. I'll bet that a good etch might reveal a twist core in the middle.

12th August 2008, 10:48 AM	#2
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Thank you gentlemen for all of your replies. This kris is so different from everything I've seen so far. I really wasn't sure what I had. I'll probably wrap the hilt in some coconut fiber twine that was given to me by a kind forum member. Then I'll coat it with some black resin. Here's the ebay auction that it came from. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN:IT&ih=016 Steve

12th August 2008, 10:53 AM	#3
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hi Steve, I see from the auction link that there is also a scabbard to restore....!!! Very nice, show us the different fases of the restoration Flavio

12th August 2008, 12:03 PM	#4
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Even nicer you got a "wooden case" with it. Can you add some pics of that, it too looks like it's got some age. If the seller is correct & it came post war Japan it sure doesn't help figuring out where they came from. I agree with your observation that these are "different"; too bad they can't tell us their story. The pommel fitting appears older then the fitting holding the baca-baca. While the gangya appears to have been made to hold a stirrup; I wonder if the original hilt/stirrup/fitting were damaged & repairs were made to save the original kakatua but added a new stirrup & fitting. From the looks it would have been a very old repair. Wrapping it in abaca would likely be the last way it was while in use, but it also looks nice just the way it is. Sort of let's it talk about himself. Whatever you decide it'll have a great home & caregiver.

13th August 2008, 02:26 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	It may have also had a plain silver band or two in the middle......