Comments on the blade of this Moro Kris?

VVV · 3rd June 2005, 11:18 AM

I just got this Kris with a center that resembles pamor.
All comments appreciated.

Michael

Federico · 3rd June 2005, 02:23 PM

Very nice and very interesting kris. 19th century Sulu perhaps? It almost looks like the gangya is a mismatch, but I cant tell from pics especially with very little sleep. The center etch is indeed very interesting, it looks like it was purposely etched deeply, and then had the edges polished clean. Ive seen similar effect done on other Moro Kris, but not so purposefully. Generally, on the other pieces I have seen the center remained etched because of the fullering, which is naturally difficult to polish out smooth, a side-effect of placement so to speak, and not necessarily purposefully. This one definitely has that purposeful look, even though the general conditions are similar. It looks very fresh, and I wonder if it was done in recent years. Oh well, just rambling nonsensical guessing, very nice kris. Very unique look, though there is a side of me that is interested in seeing what the rest of the blade would look etched, stunning pattern.

Rick · 3rd June 2005, 02:32 PM

Would love to see a close up of the pamor area .

VVV · 3rd June 2005, 03:11 PM

Rick,

Here is a close up.

Thanks,

Michael

Rick · 3rd June 2005, 03:33 PM

Really topographical , nice !

Is there any possible way this could be a wax resist etch ?
I doubt it is .

Quite a complex pattern .
Beautiful Michael .

Lew · 3rd June 2005, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Really topographical , nice !

Is there any possible way this could be a wax resist etch ?
I doubt it is .

Quite a complex pattern .
Beautiful Michael .

VVV

Very nice kris it strikes me as an early to mid 20th century sword 1920-40? It seems to be of excellent quality! I must agree with Rick that the pamor is wax acid etched and not mechanically forged. The baca baca are very well done but I have noticed on original older kris prior to 1910-20 that the baca are of one piece construction rather than two separate pieces as in the one pictured above but this is my personal opinion of course.

Lew

Bill · 3rd June 2005, 06:18 PM

Michael, Could you give us more close ups of the sheath & the hilt? The blade certainly is 19thC & the over all appearance is so pristine, one has to wonder what was original & if anything has been altered; sometimes the problem with doing too nice of a job cleaning, you remove the "age". Michael, what is your impression of the sword & sheath, what appears to you as being receint work? When you look into the wranka (where the sword inserts) does the carving look receint? When you look at the top right corner of the close up you can see the structure of the metal continue past the cut of the fuller line. But the cut line is done so sharply, it looks as to have been done with modern tools. Could some sort of acidic paste been put on the center of this blade, that eat down into the pattern? This sword obviously has been taken apart & cleaned, I suspect the fuller work was done then, etched, edges polished & the hilt re-wraped. The sheath also is in such good condition, is it recient or just so nicely cleaned; no age cracks or signs of wear. The horn tip is unusaul, more like Sumatra work, but then again there is no end to the uniqueness of Moro pieces. If things have been altered on this sword, the person who did them, knew what they were doing.

3rd June 2005, 11:18 AM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Comments on the blade of this Moro Kris? I just got this Kris with a center that resembles pamor. All comments appreciated. Michael Attached Images

3rd June 2005, 03:11 PM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Rick, Here is a close up. Thanks, Michael Attached Images

3rd June 2005, 03:33 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	WOW Really topographical , nice ! Is there any possible way this could be a wax resist etch ? I doubt it is . Quite a complex pattern . Beautiful Michael .

3rd June 2005, 02:23 PM	#2
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	Very nice and very interesting kris. 19th century Sulu perhaps? It almost looks like the gangya is a mismatch, but I cant tell from pics especially with very little sleep. The center etch is indeed very interesting, it looks like it was purposely etched deeply, and then had the edges polished clean. Ive seen similar effect done on other Moro Kris, but not so purposefully. Generally, on the other pieces I have seen the center remained etched because of the fullering, which is naturally difficult to polish out smooth, a side-effect of placement so to speak, and not necessarily purposefully. This one definitely has that purposeful look, even though the general conditions are similar. It looks very fresh, and I wonder if it was done in recent years. Oh well, just rambling nonsensical guessing, very nice kris. Very unique look, though there is a side of me that is interested in seeing what the rest of the blade would look etched, stunning pattern.

3rd June 2005, 02:32 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Would love to see a close up of the pamor area .

3rd June 2005, 06:18 PM	#7
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Michael, Could you give us more close ups of the sheath & the hilt? The blade certainly is 19thC & the over all appearance is so pristine, one has to wonder what was original & if anything has been altered; sometimes the problem with doing too nice of a job cleaning, you remove the "age". Michael, what is your impression of the sword & sheath, what appears to you as being receint work? When you look into the wranka (where the sword inserts) does the carving look receint? When you look at the top right corner of the close up you can see the structure of the metal continue past the cut of the fuller line. But the cut line is done so sharply, it looks as to have been done with modern tools. Could some sort of acidic paste been put on the center of this blade, that eat down into the pattern? This sword obviously has been taken apart & cleaned, I suspect the fuller work was done then, etched, edges polished & the hilt re-wraped. The sheath also is in such good condition, is it recient or just so nicely cleaned; no age cracks or signs of wear. The horn tip is unusaul, more like Sumatra work, but then again there is no end to the uniqueness of Moro pieces. If things have been altered on this sword, the person who did them, knew what they were doing.