Spanish-American War Period Barong & Kris for Comment

laEspadaAncha · 10th August 2010, 01:13 AM

Thanks, guys...

And thanks Jose for the input re: the possible answer behind the pommel's "mystery metal." I'm a little apprehensive about polishing it, but I might ask a local jeweler or pawn shop to test it from an inconspicuous place...

Quick side note - when my (late) grandfather's ship put to port in Okinawa in the 1950s, he researched the mei on a katana he had taken possession of as part of the post-war occupation force in Japan during '45-'46. It had ridden around in his Captain's locker for over a decade. He found the family to whom this sword had belonged for 500 years, and proceeded to return it to tis rightful owners. I like to think that good karma has come back time and time again in my own quests for antique arms & armor.

Dimasalang - you missed it, boss! Small house on the Shelter Island side of Pt. Loma... a lot of retired military over there - worth combing on the weekend if you have the time for estate sales.

Anyway, I'll post pics of the other two in a little bit - the barong is sa-weet! You can see the temper line in the photo above...

Battara · 10th August 2010, 01:25 AM

Although there is some slight debate on polishing silver, the big giant no no is polishing bronze . Generally speaking, polishing antique silver is fine and brings it to how it was originally to be seen. To be sure a jeweler would be able to tell you if it is silver or nickel-silver (which is not silver at all!).

10th August 2010, 01:13 AM	#1
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Thanks, guys... And thanks Jose for the input re: the possible answer behind the pommel's "mystery metal." I'm a little apprehensive about polishing it, but I might ask a local jeweler or pawn shop to test it from an inconspicuous place... Quick side note - when my (late) grandfather's ship put to port in Okinawa in the 1950s, he researched the mei on a katana he had taken possession of as part of the post-war occupation force in Japan during '45-'46. It had ridden around in his Captain's locker for over a decade. He found the family to whom this sword had belonged for 500 years, and proceeded to return it to tis rightful owners. I like to think that good karma has come back time and time again in my own quests for antique arms & armor. Dimasalang - you missed it, boss! Small house on the Shelter Island side of Pt. Loma... a lot of retired military over there - worth combing on the weekend if you have the time for estate sales. Anyway, I'll post pics of the other two in a little bit - the barong is sa-weet! You can see the temper line in the photo above...

10th August 2010, 01:25 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Although there is some slight debate on polishing silver, the big giant no no is polishing bronze . Generally speaking, polishing antique silver is fine and brings it to how it was originally to be seen. To be sure a jeweler would be able to tell you if it is silver or nickel-silver (which is not silver at all!).