Thanks Gustav. Short of pulling the kris apart and physically separating the gangya to confirm that it is indeed a separate construction, the only way to show conclusively that it is separate is via X-ray. I have done this many times and confirmed that a line of separation is readily visible when present. This is much easier than taking the hilt off.
As far as the inlaid silver decoration crossing a possible line of separation without interruption on at least two examples of this style of kris, this seems to be evidence that there is no line of separation present. Until I can find another example and X-ray it, I remain skeptical that these relatively modern kris actually have separate gangya.
Regards, Ian.
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