New member needs some help!

VANDOO · 30th March 2011, 06:29 AM

A VERY INTERESTING AND UNIQUE KRIS AND A COOL FIRST POST. THE GUARD APPEARS TO BE MADE FROM A WARTHOG TUSK,(ORIGIN AFRICA) THERE IS QUITE
A BIT OF INTERESTING WORKMANSHIP ON THE HANDLE, THE SILVER CAP ON THE TUSK APPEARS TO HAVE QUITE A BIT OF BLACK OXIDATION (TARNISH) THE RING NEAR THE TIP OF THE TUSK HAS SMALLER GEM STONES(PERHAPS GARNETS) MOUNTED SOME OF WHICH ARE MISSING AND THE SETTING DENTED AND DEFORMED LIKELY FROM WEARING IT. THE TUSK MAY HAVE ALREADY HAD THESE PIECES AND BEEN PART OF SOMETHING ELSE OR COULD HAVE BEEN DONE JUST FOR THIS KRIS. THE SILVER BEAD WORK GOING UP THE SIDES OF THE TUSK MAY BE TO HELP ATTACH IT OR JUST FOR DECORATION BUT ARE VERY UNUSUAL. THE IVORY PIECES ON THE POMMEL ARE LIKELY CUT FROM WARTHOG TUSK IF MADE AT THE SAME TIME BUT MAY BE ANOTHER TYPE OF IVORY?? THE SWASSA AND SILVER DECORATION INDICATES TO ME SOMEONE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF MONEY TO HAVE THIS HANDLE MADE SO I WOULD TAKE IT TO A JEWELER TO CHECK THE STONE IN THE POMMEL BECAUSE IF IT IS REAL YOU NEED TO KNOW IT. A STONE OF THAT SIZE WOULD BE WORTH SOME HEAVY CASH BUT IT IS LIKELY TO BE GLASS OR SYNTHETIC WHICH MAY HELP GET AN IDEA TO ITS AGE AS A GOOD JEWELER SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A GUESS AS TO DATE AND WHERE CUT BY LOOKING AT THE MATERIAL AND FACETING WORK. IF PLASTIC IT WILL BE QUITE RECENT IF A TOP QUALITY GLASS SYNTHETIC IT WILL BE OLDER BUT STILL RELATIVELY RECENT. IF ITS A REAL TOP QUALITY PINK SAPPHIRE IT NEEDS TO LIVE IN A SAFE OR VAULT. LOOK IN THE RECESSES AND CRACKS AROUND ALL FITTINGS FOR CRUD (DIRT CORROSION ECT.) IF ITS CLEAN OR THERE IS RECENT GLUE THAT'S A BAD SIGN THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN PUT TOGETHER RECENTLY.AS ALWAYS I CAN'T JUDGE VERY WELL FROM PICTURES. WELCOME TO THE FORUM AND GOOD LUCK

Atlantia · 30th March 2011, 10:26 AM

Welcome to the forums Timmyb.
What a fantastic looking and unique piece!
The tusk knuckle bow is a completely new concept in my experience.

Congratulations on a great looking sword!

Best
Gene

Spunjer · 30th March 2011, 04:04 PM

it's a novelty kalis... meaning the handguard was added for no other reason than:

a) to bolster sale (done by a lumad or christian vendor)
b) the new owner's (most likely a foreigner) personal whim

i don't see any reason why a moro would desicrate a kalis with a part of an "unclean" animal...

Battara · 30th March 2011, 07:32 PM

Very true Ron, very true............

David · 30th March 2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

i don't see any reason why a moro would desicrate a kalis with a part of an "unclean" animal...

Very good point Ron, this wasn't done by a Muslim for a Muslim.

timmyb · 1st April 2011, 01:47 AM

Well....I knew I would get some great information here and I did!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to look at the sword and post your thoughts. I'm using all of the information gathered to do some more research. A Kris isn't something you see in rural upstate NY where I am from so this was a good find for me. Now I am watching the inventory of the local antique shops and putting some feelers out there to see if I can find any more interesting weapons. I will keep you all posted!! Thanks Again.

Timmyb

Spunjer · 1st April 2011, 12:24 PM

timmyb, if you clean the blade (0000 steel wool, warm water and dish soap) then mildly etch it with vinegar, you might find a beautiful pattern running along the blade, most likely a skunk stripe pattern. here's an almost similar blade to what you have:

timmyb · 2nd April 2011, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

timmyb, if you clean the blade (0000 steel wool, warm water and dish soap) then mildly etch it with vinegar, you might find a beautiful pattern running along the blade, most likely a skunk stripe pattern. here's an almost similar blade to what you have:

HeY Thanks for the tip Spunjer. I was wondering how to properly clean this piece. What do you mean by "etch" it with vinegar? Also, would I use dish soap and water to clean the rest of it as well? Thanks again!

Timmyb

David · 1st April 2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmyb

A Kris isn't something you see in rural upstate NY where I am from so this was a good find for me. Now I am watching the inventory of the local antique shops and putting some feelers out there to see if I can find any more interesting weapons.

Hey Timmy, i found my first kris at an antique mall in rural New Hampshire. You really never know where these objects will pop up. Quite a few ended up in the States when soldiers returned home from the U.S. actions in the Philippines at the very beginning of the 20th century so they end up all over rural America.

timmyb · 2nd April 2011, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Hey Timmy, i found my first kris at an antique mall in rural New Hampshire. You really never know where these objects will pop up. Quite a few ended up in the States when soldiers returned home from the U.S. actions in the Philippines at the very beginning of the 20th century so they end up all over rural America.

Hey David.....Great story! Were you looking for the Kris when you found it or did you just see it and become interested? Where I live people seem to be most interested in anything American and not so much antiques from other parts of the world. How many pieces do you have now and do you have any advice for a life long antique collector and first time Kris owner? I am interested in building a collection.

Thanks Again,

Tim

1st April 2011, 01:47 AM	#6
timmyb Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Upstste New York Posts: 5	Good Stuff! Well....I knew I would get some great information here and I did! Thank you to everyone who took the time to look at the sword and post your thoughts. I'm using all of the information gathered to do some more research. A Kris isn't something you see in rural upstate NY where I am from so this was a good find for me. Now I am watching the inventory of the local antique shops and putting some feelers out there to see if I can find any more interesting weapons. I will keep you all posted!! Thanks Again. Timmyb

1st April 2011, 12:24 PM	#7
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	timmyb, if you clean the blade (0000 steel wool, warm water and dish soap) then mildly etch it with vinegar, you might find a beautiful pattern running along the blade, most likely a skunk stripe pattern. here's an almost similar blade to what you have: Attached Images

30th March 2011, 06:29 AM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A VERY INTERESTING AND UNIQUE KRIS AND A COOL FIRST POST. THE GUARD APPEARS TO BE MADE FROM A WARTHOG TUSK,(ORIGIN AFRICA) THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF INTERESTING WORKMANSHIP ON THE HANDLE, THE SILVER CAP ON THE TUSK APPEARS TO HAVE QUITE A BIT OF BLACK OXIDATION (TARNISH) THE RING NEAR THE TIP OF THE TUSK HAS SMALLER GEM STONES(PERHAPS GARNETS) MOUNTED SOME OF WHICH ARE MISSING AND THE SETTING DENTED AND DEFORMED LIKELY FROM WEARING IT. THE TUSK MAY HAVE ALREADY HAD THESE PIECES AND BEEN PART OF SOMETHING ELSE OR COULD HAVE BEEN DONE JUST FOR THIS KRIS. THE SILVER BEAD WORK GOING UP THE SIDES OF THE TUSK MAY BE TO HELP ATTACH IT OR JUST FOR DECORATION BUT ARE VERY UNUSUAL. THE IVORY PIECES ON THE POMMEL ARE LIKELY CUT FROM WARTHOG TUSK IF MADE AT THE SAME TIME BUT MAY BE ANOTHER TYPE OF IVORY?? THE SWASSA AND SILVER DECORATION INDICATES TO ME SOMEONE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF MONEY TO HAVE THIS HANDLE MADE SO I WOULD TAKE IT TO A JEWELER TO CHECK THE STONE IN THE POMMEL BECAUSE IF IT IS REAL YOU NEED TO KNOW IT. A STONE OF THAT SIZE WOULD BE WORTH SOME HEAVY CASH BUT IT IS LIKELY TO BE GLASS OR SYNTHETIC WHICH MAY HELP GET AN IDEA TO ITS AGE AS A GOOD JEWELER SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A GUESS AS TO DATE AND WHERE CUT BY LOOKING AT THE MATERIAL AND FACETING WORK. IF PLASTIC IT WILL BE QUITE RECENT IF A TOP QUALITY GLASS SYNTHETIC IT WILL BE OLDER BUT STILL RELATIVELY RECENT. IF ITS A REAL TOP QUALITY PINK SAPPHIRE IT NEEDS TO LIVE IN A SAFE OR VAULT. LOOK IN THE RECESSES AND CRACKS AROUND ALL FITTINGS FOR CRUD (DIRT CORROSION ECT.) IF ITS CLEAN OR THERE IS RECENT GLUE THAT'S A BAD SIGN THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN PUT TOGETHER RECENTLY.AS ALWAYS I CAN'T JUDGE VERY WELL FROM PICTURES. WELCOME TO THE FORUM AND GOOD LUCK

30th March 2011, 10:26 AM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Welcome to the forums Timmyb. What a fantastic looking and unique piece! The tusk knuckle bow is a completely new concept in my experience. Congratulations on a great looking sword! Best Gene

30th March 2011, 04:04 PM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	it's a novelty kalis... meaning the handguard was added for no other reason than: a) to bolster sale (done by a lumad or christian vendor) b) the new owner's (most likely a foreigner) personal whim i don't see any reason why a moro would desicrate a kalis with a part of an "unclean" animal...

30th March 2011, 07:32 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	Very true Ron, very true............