Thread: Strange keris
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Old 10th November 2008, 06:14 PM   #1
Freddy
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium)
Posts: 830
Question Strange keris

I just received this piece. I found it on ebay recently. Probably other forum members saw this peculiar keris, too.

Here is what the seller mentioned in her auction :

"VERY INTERESTING CUSTOM MADE KRIS 20TH CENTURY.THE GRIP IS OF SOLID BRASS AND SIMULATES A STYLISED BIRDS HEAD WITH INCISED DECORATION.IT HAS A WHITE METAL COLLAR AGAIN INCISED.THE STEEL BLADE IS WAVY AND THIN.THE SCABBARD IS MADE OF SOLID BRASS AND INCISED WITH DECORATION SIMULATING A JAPANESE MON.THE WHOLE DAGGER IS VERY HEAVY FOR IT'S SIZE AND WEIGHS APPROX 1lb 14ozs.THE BLADE MEASURES 7 INS OR 18 CMS.OVERALL LENGTH IS 12.5 INS OR 32 CMS.

AN UNUSUAL STORY COMES WITH THIS KRIS WHICH OF COURSE IS PURELY HEARSAY ( BUT NEVER THE LESS QUITE BELIEVABLE).
APPARENTELY A JAPANESE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICER COMMISIONED THE KNIFE FROM A LOCAL CRAFTSMAN AND WHEN IT WAS DELIVERED HE WAS SO DISATISFIED THAT HE ORDERED THE EXECUTION OF THE ARTISAN.
"

The story sounds a bit....too good to be true.

But nevertheless, it's a well-made piece. The blade is forged and about 0,5 cm thick near the handle. Blade and ganja are made out of one piece of metal. No pamor on the blade.

As stated by the seller, this piece is HEAVY. Especially for such a small keris. Handle and sheath are made of metal, no wood has been used.

Here are some pics.

Any comments are welcome.









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