My new Moro kris

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Hi,

I would ask the seller if there is any provenance with this piece, I ask as I saw a very similar one with 3 other weapons from the region in a US auction house with a name and period being attached to the pieces.

Gav

Hi Gav,

good idea and is done already, sometimes is a interesting story behind some pieces.

Regards,

Detlef

[Ferguson]

Very nice. A great honest piece. I'll bet that the stuff on the blade is grease, not varnish. But either way a solvent like acetone should remove it. If you can slip the rattan bands off the scabbard and clean it out, it will be good. If that's not possible, attach small solvent soaked pieces of cloth to a wire and clean it out. I've used a gun cleaning rod with bronze brush to good effect also.

You'll enjoy this piece. While not flashy, it's as good as they get!

Steve

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ferguson

Very nice. A great honest piece. I'll bet that the stuff on the blade is grease, not varnish. But either way a solvent like acetone should remove it. If you can slip the rattan bands off the scabbard and clean it out, it will be good. If that's not possible, attach small solvent soaked pieces of cloth to a wire and clean it out. I've used a gun cleaning rod with bronze brush to good effect also.

You'll enjoy this piece. While not flashy, it's as good as they get!

Steve

Thank you Steve for the tip to clean the sheat inside.

Detlef

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

Good one - also like the mansala a lot! (I'd be even careful with shaking the dust from it since such old fabric can be pretty fragile...)

Seems that the blade is from the second half of the 19th c. (possibly later rather than earlier within this period, I'd believe); certainly laminated.

The fittings are Maguindanao with the asang-asang and hilt looking like somewhat later replacements. When you receive it, please check wether another asang-asang had been present on the upper gangya.

The scabbard looks old with nicely figured wood asking for cleaning. Seems like the wooden pins failed on one side at the throat (and perhaps the tip, too). Can probably be replaced but I'd consider leaving it as is. I wouldn't bother about the tip damage but another rattan ring will keep it tight if so desired. Be careful when drawing the sword though - old scabbards are rarely save to grip!

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Detlef,

Good one - also like the mansala a lot! (I'd be even careful with shaking the dust from it since such old fabric can be pretty fragile...)

Seems that the blade is from the second half of the 19th c. (possibly later rather than earlier within this period, I'd believe); certainly laminated.

The fittings are Maguindanao with the asang-asang and hilt looking like somewhat later replacements. When you receive it, please check wether another asang-asang had been present on the upper gangya.

The scabbard looks old with nicely figured wood asking for cleaning. Seems like the wooden pins failed on one side at the throat (and perhaps the tip, too). Can probably be replaced but I'd consider leaving it as is. I wouldn't bother about the tip damage but another rattan ring will keep it tight if so desired. Be careful when drawing the sword though - old scabbards are rarely save to grip!

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai,

thank's for comment!

Would you replace a optionally second asang-asang?

To be careful by drawing out sharp blades from old sheats I have learned time by time very painful!

Regards,

Detlef

[Sajen]

I get answer from the seller about the provenance: He have bought it by an auction and the auction-house don't want to give informations about the presenter.

[Rick]

Here's the same wrap on a mid 20th century kris .
Your's has great patina .

Remember, any change to this kris (excluding the sacbbard ring) other than cleanup/conservation would change its character .

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by Sajen

I get answer from the seller about the provenance: He have bought it by an auction and the auction-house don't want to give informations about the presenter.

Hi Detlef,

Maybe the auction house can forward your emailaddress to the presenter.
If he/she doesn't mind he/she would contact you, and the auction house doesn't have to give informations about the presenter.
50% chance (if the auctionhouse will do the effort passing your emailaddress)...

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ferguson

Very nice. A great honest piece. I'll bet that the stuff on the blade is grease, not varnish. But either way a solvent like acetone should remove it. If you can slip the rattan bands off the scabbard and clean it out, it will be good. If that's not possible, attach small solvent soaked pieces of cloth to a wire and clean it out. I've used a gun cleaning rod with bronze brush to good effect also.

You'll enjoy this piece. While not flashy, it's as good as they get!

Steve

Today I received the kris (I have to take it by german customs) and you are right, the stuff on the blade have been grease. Easy to remove by acetone and it has kept the blade in very good condition. And I have followed your tip; I have opened the scabbard and have cleaned it from inside.

Tomorrow I will post pictures.

[Sajen]

Here some pictures from the blade after a cleaning with acetone and from the sheat after rubbing it softly with a cloth and wood oil. Sorry for the poor picture quality, it's a dark day here in Germany! Now I want to etch the blade with vinegar but have to wait until my wife isn't in the kitchen!