Quote:
Originally Posted by cookyboy1
The blade did pertrude out the end of the scabbard so right or wrong i lightly glued a piece of hard wood on the end but it can be removed if i need to.
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It would appear that your sheath was missing the buntut, or end piece that would have finished off the stem of the sheath. These pieces are often formed form a piece if ivory or horn, but the wood you used does not detract form the piece and even looks a little bit like ivory in these photos due to the lighter color. I don't think this does any damage to the ensemble, especially if it can be removed and replaced with something more appropriate in the future. For now i wouldn't worry about it.
Theis keris does seem to have some age to it, though you are not likely to get a specific date. 19th century might be a good start. It does look like the blade could be Javanese though the dress is a Malay form. Javanese blades were often traded widely across Indonesia so this is not surprising.
As to the hilt orientation, I concur with Rick that keris from these regions are often presented with the hilt facing in this direction. I do find this position uncomfortable for holding the blade in use, but i have often seen such keris with the blade at rest in the sheath like this. Often hilts are not fixed in position and can be adjusted when needed.