Hello Bill,
Sorry, I don't know how I managed to miss your posting back in 2010!
Quote:
Forgot to post outcome of the metallurgical x-ray. Looks like 1646, but fuzzy. Second digit is more like a 6 or an 8 than a 7.
Seems the "R" has to do with Rotterdam if that helps place the age? 
|
Could you please try to post scans of the x-ray images? Would like to have a look at the digits as well as search for possible additional marks.
1646 would indeed be quite an early VOC blade and allow for enough time to disperse throughout the archipelago and eventually get recycled as part of this k(e)ris!
The Rotterdam mark won't help to corroborate age since its trade chamber participated in the VOC from the very beginning. It's role increased with time (this won't allow any reliable inferences though).
Regards,
Kai