Moro Kris For Comment

kai · 29th April 2019, 08:08 AM

I agree with Jose that this blade is a really good catch!

Based on the flow of lines and surface condition, I'd be inclined to place the blade at mid-19th century to Span-Am war period rather than any earlier.

There is a good chance that the narrow engraved lines once had silver inlay; however, the motif close to the tip was a bit crudely cut. Maybe there is no undercut for better retention of any inlay?

The scabbard seems to be a later replacement which might be consistent with a WWII scenario. I'd try to remove the varnish after carefully glueing the recent crack (traditional wood glue, possibly with a de-oiling step for tropical woods; I reckon the wood is not really heavy hardwood though?).

BTW, aren't the service numbers from Victoria accessible?

Regards,
Kai

RAMBA · 29th April 2019, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

I agree with Jose that this blade is a really good catch!

Based on the flow of lines and surface condition, I'd be inclined to place the blade at mid-19th century to Span-Am war period rather than any earlier.

There is a good chance that the narrow engraved lines once had silver inlay; however, the motif close to the tip was a bit crudely cut. Maybe there is no undercut for better retention of any inlay?

The scabbard seems to be a later replacement which might be consistent with a WWII scenario. I'd try to remove the varnish after carefully glueing the recent crack (traditional wood glue, possibly with a de-oiling step for tropical woods; I reckon the wood is not really heavy hardwood though?).

BTW, aren't the service numbers from Victoria accessible?

I guess your PM is not activated yet. Feel free to contact me if you might be interested in a khukri trade:

HTML Code:

kai99.eaa@mailnull.com

Regards,
Kai

Thanks for the response. Yes I agree - not my area but I have handled enough old weapons to know when the blade and scabbard are the same date. And the scabbard would fit the 1940s date. The wooden pommel is of the same period to the scabbard and are covered in the same varnish. The workmanship of the blade is not lost on me and I have spent some time looking at the detail. I see no evidence of there being any silver in the lines. I can't see undercut as I have seen on some inlaid other blades.

I have done my best to use wood glue and have glued up the cracks - solid now and the kris can go in and out without the scabbard flexing.

My PM should be working as I have just had a PM from someone else.

RAMBA · 29th April 2019, 09:03 AM

The scabbard seems to be a later replacement which might be consistent with a WWII scenario. I'd try to remove the varnish after carefully glueing the recent crack (traditional wood glue, possibly with a de-oiling step for tropical woods; I reckon the wood is not really heavy hardwood though?).

Very light wood.

BTW, aren't the service numbers from Victoria accessible?

I'm trying to find out. I normally find this out fast as I have attributed a number of kukri to service men when a number is no a scabbard etc.

mross · 29th April 2019, 03:13 PM

That was a great score on a random lot. Unless the other not related items where a Lamborghini or a gold bar I'd say this is the star of the lot.

Yes, everything said about it is true as to age, sheath(not original) and the inlays were definitely silver.

David · 29th April 2019, 06:12 PM

Damn! Some folks have all the luck. I would say this is a highly desirable piece indeed for kris collectors and your are quite lucky to have stumbled upon it.
I'm with Kai. More likely mid-19th century than earlier. I would say that definitely the kakatau pommel and possible the entire hilt is a later replacement though.
Great score though!

RAMBA · 29th April 2019, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Damn! Some folks have all the luck. I would say this is a highly desirable piece indeed for kris collectors and your are quite lucky to have stumbled upon it.
I'm with Kai. More likely mid-19th century than earlier. I would say that definitely the kakatau pommel and possible the entire hilt is a later replacement though.
Great score though!

Thanks for the comments. So mid 19th C with a later 20th C replacement scabbard and hilt. The pommel and scabbard seem a fit so probably all done at same time and as the theory goes picked up around the WW2 period.

I will probably be letting it go in a month or two. Not my area of collecting.

Ian · 30th April 2019, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAMBA

... I will probably be letting it go in a month or two. Not my area of collecting.

Hi Ramba:

Welcome to the Forum and congrats on a really neat find. If you plan to sell it, you might like to take advantage of the Swap Forum on this site.

Ian

CharlesS · 30th April 2019, 12:04 AM

Yes!...a lovely blade, indeed! Like Battara said the scabbard is unusual for about any Moro area, and I have to wonder if it is later to the sword, which would not be unusual at all.

RAMBA · 29th April 2019, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mross

That was a great score on a random lot. Unless the other not related items where a Lamborghini or a gold bar I'd say this is the star of the lot.

Yes, everything said about it is true as to age, sheath(not original) and the inlays were definitely silver.

Thanks for comments. Junk lot!

29th April 2019, 08:08 AM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	I agree with Jose that this blade is a really good catch! Based on the flow of lines and surface condition, I'd be inclined to place the blade at mid-19th century to Span-Am war period rather than any earlier. There is a good chance that the narrow engraved lines once had silver inlay; however, the motif close to the tip was a bit crudely cut. Maybe there is no undercut for better retention of any inlay? The scabbard seems to be a later replacement which might be consistent with a WWII scenario. I'd try to remove the varnish after carefully glueing the recent crack (traditional wood glue, possibly with a de-oiling step for tropical woods; I reckon the wood is not really heavy hardwood though?). BTW, aren't the service numbers from Victoria accessible? Regards, Kai Last edited by kai; 29th April 2019 at 12:01 PM.

30th April 2019, 12:04 AM	#8
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Yes!...a lovely blade, indeed! Like Battara said the scabbard is unusual for about any Moro area, and I have to wonder if it is later to the sword, which would not be unusual at all. Last edited by CharlesS; 30th April 2019 at 12:15 PM.

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29th April 2019, 09:03 AM	#3
RAMBA Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 102	The scabbard seems to be a later replacement which might be consistent with a WWII scenario. I'd try to remove the varnish after carefully glueing the recent crack (traditional wood glue, possibly with a de-oiling step for tropical woods; I reckon the wood is not really heavy hardwood though?). Very light wood. BTW, aren't the service numbers from Victoria accessible? I'm trying to find out. I normally find this out fast as I have attributed a number of kukri to service men when a number is no a scabbard etc.

29th April 2019, 03:13 PM	#4
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	That was a great score on a random lot. Unless the other not related items where a Lamborghini or a gold bar I'd say this is the star of the lot. Yes, everything said about it is true as to age, sheath(not original) and the inlays were definitely silver.

29th April 2019, 06:12 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,229	Damn! Some folks have all the luck. I would say this is a highly desirable piece indeed for kris collectors and your are quite lucky to have stumbled upon it. I'm with Kai. More likely mid-19th century than earlier. I would say that definitely the kakatau pommel and possible the entire hilt is a later replacement though. Great score though!