Moro kris: Information/Comments welcome!

[Battara]

Originally Posted by Maurice

Could it be some alloy?

On the bands in the middle (the two smaller onces) there are some traces of green assessment, which is also seen on those brass lantaka's.
But at the other hand the lowest one looks more "white".

Now I am in two minds......if it is silver I want it to get polished........and if it would be brass I like this kind of patina........

Actually the silver used then and now is alloyed with copper. This is why sometimes on old silver pieces there is some green patina. Often back then there was even more copper content than what is commonly used today, often close to coin silver (today: sterling silver is used - 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, coin silver is 80% silver and 20% copper).

Thus I am shocked that there would be some green patina. If brass, it is obvious, but if silver, don't be surprised that some green patina might be present.

[kai]

Hello Maurice,

Congrats, that's a really sweet 19th c. blade - really like this Sulu style! Quite typical with a length of 20.5 inches, too. Nice etching job!

Also love the small pommel style as you know...

Did you tried a bit of wax on the scabbard to get a less dry look of the wood? (As well as offering a bit of protection from the low-humidity in-house.)

Regards,
Kai

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by kai

Nice etching job!

Yep, learned it from the profi!

Originally Posted by kai

Also love the small pommel style as you know...

That makes two of us!

Originally Posted by kai

Did you tried a bit of wax on the scabbard to get a less dry look of the wood? (As well as offering a bit of protection from the low-humidity in-house.)

Yes I used wax on the wood. Maybe it is not clear to see on the images, but it has a much better look allready as when I got it.

Originally Posted by kai

Maurice, have you tried the "cold" needle test to gauge the malleability of the metal?

Not yet, but I will try soon and surely let you know!

Kind Regards,
Maurice

[kai]

By the way, the metal bands look more like tarnished silver, not brass.

IMHO, the patina looked slightly off for silver to me but on a second look it might well be a low silver alloy, too. The highlights seen at the rim of the pommel band (post #4) look kinda promising. I'd surely do a silver test at this area before polishing a window into the existing patina.

If brass, it is obvious, but if silver, don't be surprised that some green patina might be present.

Yes, especially in humid conditions some copper compounds easily develop from corrosion with coin silver (or even lower silver alloys).

Maurice, have you tried the "cold" needle test to gauge the malleability of the metal?

Regards,
Kai

[Mytribalworld]

Maurice, have you tried the "cold" needle test to gauge the malleability of the metal?

Regards,
Kai[/QUOTE]

cold needle test ? do you practice voodoo , Kai? can you explain what you mean with that test?

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by mandaukudi

cold needle test ? do you practice voodoo , Kai? can you explain what you mean with that test?

I know what Kai means because we had a "non forum" conversation about silver and silver alloys a time ago.
Kai means that it could be worth trying pricking it with a steel needle at an inconspicuous place. Low grade silver is tougher though and less easy to differentiate from nickel silver, etc.

Maybe Kai can add or correct me if wrong or not complete!

[David]

Originally Posted by mandaukudi

...cold needle test ? do you practice voodoo , Kai?

Some of us who practice Vodou might not take too kindly to this gross Hollywood misconception of what the practice of Voodoo entails.

[Battara]

If you hear a kris screaming in the other room, you'll know why...

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by Battara

If you hear a kris screaming in the other room, you'll know why...

To hear my kris screaming, you must have big ears!

[kino]

Note the old restoration of the crest, that has been broken off a long time ago!

A very nice Kris. Congrats. I love that dark aged ivory.
That pin on the crest might not have been a restoration. Maybe it was there at the initial carving of the ivory, pinned the crest for added support, and then the crest broke off with much handling. I have a Kris with a bone kakatua pommel that has pieces of the crest pinned together. I'll post a photo when the sun rises.