Neglected antique kris restored

h0ll0wman · 16th August 2021, 12:53 PM

I just got this kris today. It was in bad condition. The blade was heavily rusted, the hilt is wrapped in rubber, and the scabbard has a missing metal ring. After hours of restoring this kris, here it is now with beautiful lamination patterns. The hilt and scabbard still needs to be restored.

David R · 16th August 2021, 06:23 PM

That was fast.....

Sajen · 16th August 2021, 09:51 PM

Indeed!

Nice kris, please let us see it again when you have restored hilt and scabbard. How you have cleaned in short time the blade? And what you have used as etchant? Nice pattern.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 17th August 2021, 01:17 AM

Hi h0ll0wman,

Nice kris. I think the blade is probably Sulu in manufacture, and likely from the late 19th-early 20th C. The longitudinal insert is not twist core but has nice laminations. The hilt is atypical and similar to Visayan-influenced styles I have seen previously from Moro pieces originating in Zamboanga. The wrap-around metal (is it aluminum?) on the pommel is likely held in place with small nails and from that area I believe. The scabbard is of a Mindanao style also. Your etch looks like ferric chloride--is that what you used?

h0ll0wman · 17th August 2021, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Indeed!

Nice kris, please let us see it again when you have restored hilt and scabbard. How you have cleaned in short time the blade? And what you have used as etchant? Nice pattern.

Regards,
Detlef

Hello Detlef. Thank you. I soaked it in vinegar first for a couple of hours. I then used sand paper for the heavy rusts. 100-400-600-1000- and finally 1500 grit. As for the etchant I used ferric chloride

h0ll0wman · 17th August 2021, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi h0ll0wman,

Nice kris. I think the blade is probably Sulu in manufacture, and likely from the late 19th-early 20th C. The longitudinal insert is not twist core but has nice laminations. The hilt is atypical and similar to Visayan-influenced styles I have seen previously from Moro pieces originating in Zamboanga. The wrap-around metal (is it aluminum?) on the pommel is likely held in place with small nails and from that area I believe. The scabbard is of a Mindanao style also. Your etch looks like ferric chloride--is that what you used?

Thank you for the information Ian. I thought it was twist core at first, but still the lamination pattern is beautiful. I am not sure if this is the original hilt and I am thinking of having it replaced. The metal on the scabbard feels and looks like aluminum. Yes you are correct that I used ferric chloride for etching.

Battara · 17th August 2021, 06:05 AM

The scabbard and blade looks Maguindanao to me, and maybe the hilt as well. But the wrap was done later and the aluminum mounts might have replaced silver mounts.

h0ll0wman · 18th August 2021, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

The scabbard and blade looks Maguindanao to me, and maybe the hilt as well. But the wrap was done later and the aluminum mounts might have replaced silver mounts.

Thank you for this sir. I think I shall retain the hilt and have it wrapped in silver.

mross · 1st September 2021, 07:15 PM

That looks really nice.

16th August 2021, 12:53 PM	#1
h0ll0wman Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 71	Neglected antique kris restored I just got this kris today. It was in bad condition. The blade was heavily rusted, the hilt is wrapped in rubber, and the scabbard has a missing metal ring. After hours of restoring this kris, here it is now with beautiful lamination patterns. The hilt and scabbard still needs to be restored. Attached Images

1st September 2021, 07:15 PM	#9
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	That looks really nice. Last edited by Ian; 4th September 2021 at 01:18 PM. Reason: While José no doubt appreciates the referral these suggestions are better transmitted via PM

16th August 2021, 06:23 PM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	That was fast.....

16th August 2021, 09:51 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	Indeed! Nice kris, please let us see it again when you have restored hilt and scabbard. How you have cleaned in short time the blade? And what you have used as etchant? Nice pattern. Regards, Detlef

17th August 2021, 01:17 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	Hi h0ll0wman, Nice kris. I think the blade is probably Sulu in manufacture, and likely from the late 19th-early 20th C. The longitudinal insert is not twist core but has nice laminations. The hilt is atypical and similar to Visayan-influenced styles I have seen previously from Moro pieces originating in Zamboanga. The wrap-around metal (is it aluminum?) on the pommel is likely held in place with small nails and from that area I believe. The scabbard is of a Mindanao style also. Your etch looks like ferric chloride--is that what you used?

17th August 2021, 06:05 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	The scabbard and blade looks Maguindanao to me, and maybe the hilt as well. But the wrap was done later and the aluminum mounts might have replaced silver mounts.