Gustav, there are several things that have caught my attention with the pesi, and measured against characteristics of blades that I know to be truly old, they just don't fit. The thickness of the pesi base compared to the thickness of the actual pesi itself is not uncommon, but in this keris the shoulder of that thicker section appears to have a radius, which indicates extreme attention to detail and something I cannot recall ever having seen previously. Additionally, the tip of the pesi appears to have a very slight swelling, not something that is common in very old blades. In short, this pesi does not strike me as having the appearance of something that I would expect to see on a really old keris.
It is very obvious that the pesi has been freshly filed for some reason or other, maybe to fit the mendak as suggested by Athanase, and this fresh filing is not a part of my considerations, it could as easily appear in a keris made last week as in one made many years ago.
I actually don't know of any specific "sign" that will indicate an older keris, or the comparative age of any keris. Something that came out of its native society 300 or 400 hundred years ago can look virtually brand new if stored carefully in a European collection.
I have based my opinion on the comparison of this keris with the many other keris I have seen over the years, especially comparison with keris of a similar style. Bear this in mind: stylistically this keris is Tuban. Tuban was a trading port, it was not a kraton, and keris from the hinterland and from the north coast were taken to Tuban for sale and for export. This keris has been made to satisfy a market demand, not to conform with the dictates of a royally approved style. I also cannot forget the many keris of this type that I saw with dealers in Jawa during the 1970's, and the virtual disappearance of this style in the market-place at the present time.
However, above all I must emphasise that my opinion could change if I handled this object:-
"--- Based upon what I believe I can see in these photographs ---"
David, I cannot answer your question, because I do not know of any specific talismanic associations with this style of keris. I do know that many people who were and are not a part of the Javanese keris world, but who do have a strong belief in the esoteric character of the keris have a strong belief in the protective value of this type of blade, both keris and tombak. So, yes, possibly there was some intent that a keris like this might have been intended as a talisman, but no reliable informant has ever told me this.
Athanase, as Jean has suggested, a light etch with a mild acid will give you an indication of the nature of the outer skin of the blade, however, it would be cautious to paint the blade with a slurry of bicarbonate of soda and let it stand for a few minutes after your initial rinse, and before drying and applying WD40.
The wrongko and mendak on this keris are typical of the period 1850 - 1940. Neither are what we would expect to see as original on a keris predating 1800.
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