Philippine Kris or Keris

[aerosick]

Originally Posted by Rick

Indeed; but compare the distance between the engraving and the point . Compare the point shape with your example .
Check the rest of the krisses on the site also .

http://www.arscives.com/historysteel...nes.swords.htm

Your's is an old blade; I'm fairly certain of that .
It may even have a twist core .

Nothing wrong with keeping an old warrior functional .
If the point was modified it was long ago I figure .

I've bookmarked that and I keep looking and looking.

Can you point me to a reference on "twist core" versus other forge techniques? Is this where they would twist the metal billets? Does this make it rarer?

Thanks,

Billy

[Battara]

I looked at the pictures in your link and compared the copper wire and nails to the top and bottom chased okired pieces. I think the top and bottom pieces are indeed swassa.

The place to test them would be at a jewelers (besides me).

Also the blade is probably older than the hilt. Not unusual.

[aerosick]

Originally Posted by Battara

I looked at the pictures in your link and compared the copper wire and nails to the top and bottom chased okired pieces. I think the top and bottom pieces are indeed swassa.

The place to test them would be at a jewelers (besides me).

Also the blade is probably older than the hilt. Not unusual.

Thanks for this tip. I will try a jeweler next.

Billy

[David]

Originally Posted by Battara

I looked at the pictures in your link and compared the copper wire and nails to the top and bottom chased okired pieces. I think the top and bottom pieces are indeed swassa.

Yep, that would be my guess as well, though it's hard to tell just from an internet photo. I also think the pommel will turn out to be silver.
You can easily purchase silver test solution. Test for gold content might require a jeweler.

[Battara]

I would guess from the pictures that the pommel would be a coin silver from the looks in the pictures. IT looks large but right for a pre-20th century piece.

[aerosick]

Originally Posted by Battara

I would guess from the pictures that the pommel would be a coin silver from the looks in the pictures. IT looks large but right for a pre-20th century piece.

Measurements of the pommel (cockatua?):

From long end of Guard (Gangya) to the top of the head = 5.32” ~ 13.5 cm

From Underside of Cockatua on Wide Side to Guard (Gangya) = 4.55” ~ 11.56 cm

From Underside of Cockatua on Narrow Side to Guard (Gangya) = 3.22” ~ 8.18

Rectangular beak Height = 1.05” ~ 2.67 cm

Width:

Top Across Widest Area = 0.78” ~ 1.98 cm

Bottom Across Widest Area = 0.62” ~ 1.57 cm

Widest area of the Cockatua is at the eyes = 1.83” ~ 4.65 cm

Billy

[Rick]

I think this pommel would qualify as danganan style in size according to Cato's Moro Swords fig. 45 pg 74 .

[Battara]

Originally Posted by Rick

I think this pommel would qualify as danganan style in size according to Cato's Moro Swords fig. 45 pg 74 .

"You are correct sir!"

[aerosick]

In a small hole that didn't show well in the photos I can almost see wood under where the cockatua joins the hilt.

Could the cockatua be silver or a mix?

Do you think that the cockatua is small or medium size?

Is this a shape found in pre-20th Century?

Billy