Keris panjang restauration project
 

When I see this ebay listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/300957805629...84.m1439.l2649
I used direct the "buy-it-now" alternative. Only one picture was provided where you can't see the blade and the hilt only from the back but the pictures I received from the seller after my purchase wasn't disappointing. The scabbard need a new buntut but all other is an easy exercise IMHO.
Here the pictures.

Detlef, did you say you buy the keris without seeing the blade? I hope you know exactly why you have paid so much money on that ;) :p

Congratulations Detlef and for that price I would also have taken my chance without any hesitation! The Tapak Kuda hilt with selut is already worth more than the buying price! The blade is a bit rusty and worn-out but shoud be OK after cleaning.
Regards

Hi Chandra,

yes, have bought the keris without seeing the blade, the other pictures I have received after my purchase! ;) Like Jean have written I don't have seen any risk since the fittings already much more worth as the buying price.

:D :D , yes I know exactly why I have paid so much money!

Best regards,

Detlef

Thank you Jean! :) Yes, you are correct, by this purchase wasn't any risk, the fittings already worth what I have paid. All pictures a little bit blurry and I will post more pictures after I have received the keris. The blade is maybe better as we may think by the pictures.

Best regards,

Detlef

I like the handle a lot :)
I am sure it will turn out very nice after restoring.

Keep us updated on the progress !

Thank you Willem,

will do! :)

Some days ago I have received the keris, it is worth every cent of the buying price. Until now I only found the time to reglue sampir and gandar and repolish the sheath. Hilt is from wood and the blade hasn't to much corrosion and has maybe pamor. Here some just taken pictures.

Some more

Hello Detlef,
Very good catch, congratulations!
Is the selut appropriate or not? I often saw this type of piece fitted on Bugis krisses and it seems oversized for the hilt.
Best regards

Hello Jean,

thank you! :) You are correct, the selut/pendokok seems to big for the hilt and it is in my opinion a pendokok from Sumbawa but seems to be already long with the hilt/blade like the "dirt patina" shows. The hilt is very strong attached to the blade so until now I was unable to dismantle it.

Regards,

Detlef

Hello Detlef,

Lovely panjang keris.
That is of course from a view as ethnographic collector.

Wonderfull age and patina on the hilt.

Restoration can go 2 ways. preserving the keris as it is, or refurbishing.

I guess you now my choice :)

Best regards,
Willem

Well, there is also a third choice, a combination of both methods. While i personally wouldn't strip the paint off the hilt and refinish the wood, the gandar is missing its toe piece which might be nice to replace (black horn would look nice perhaps). But there is something nice about the patina of the hilt and the way the paint has been worn with time that may be worth preserving.

Hello Willem and David,

it will be the way David described, I will give the scabbard back the toe piece from black horn otherwise the scabbard is nice as is.
The handle only will get a decent cleaning without removing the old paint. But the blade will be stained new.

Regards,

Detlef

I was a bit in a hurry this morning, but indeed there is a 3rd option, and it....

Sounds good :) ;)

Looking forward to the progress :)

+1 :)