Hiltless Twist Core Moro Kris

Battara · 11th July 2017, 10:43 PM

I would place this as a Maguindanao blade based on the front and back of the ganga.

I agree with Kai though in that it should be etched to bring out the pattern. I also agree with Kai in that the hilt might truly be the right one, bunti wood being a precious commodity.

David · 11th July 2017, 11:02 PM

I would agree with the general consensus here so far. If you can manage to adjust this hilt so that it fits with the proper orientation my inclination would be to use the hilt that came with the blade. It's just my personal perspective that collectors of SEA weapons sometimes seem a bit too enthusiastic about changing the history of the blades we collect with upgrades (especially on keris). Certainly as a Western collector i am even more wary about changing out parts if it is not absolutely necessary due to them being either completely worn out or missing. But if i have a blade with a good, solid example like this i would certainly think twice before replacing it. It does seem to happen often with kris that we end up seeing ivory pommels on low quality blades like the one you are planning on swapping from. I think this often happens when dealers want to make a kris more appealing for the marketplace and they have a spare ivory pommel laying about.

Also agree with Kai that you should take care of that rust on the tang, though i would image you were probably already on that.

I also concur that you should show the whole blade. Sort of a tease to draw attention to a twisted core and then not properly show it.

F. de Luzon · 12th July 2017, 12:24 AM

Thank you Kai, Battara and David for your insights! I now realize the value of the hilt it came with. I have to remind myself to preserve the character of an antique blade like this rather than "upgrade." It seems in "upgrading" the parts, I will be downgrading its historical value. I'm grateful to you all for sharing your thoughts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I also concur that you should show the whole blade. Sort of a tease to draw attention to a twisted core and then not properly show it.

My apologies for this David. I was fixated on the hilt and the tang that I didn't realize this post would seem like a tease. Certainly unintended. I had planned on showing the whole blade after etching and with the hilt attached but I can do that later. For now, below are photos from the dealer.

11th July 2017, 10:43 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I would place this as a Maguindanao blade based on the front and back of the ganga. I agree with Kai though in that it should be etched to bring out the pattern. I also agree with Kai in that the hilt might truly be the right one, bunti wood being a precious commodity.

11th July 2017, 11:02 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	I would agree with the general consensus here so far. If you can manage to adjust this hilt so that it fits with the proper orientation my inclination would be to use the hilt that came with the blade. It's just my personal perspective that collectors of SEA weapons sometimes seem a bit too enthusiastic about changing the history of the blades we collect with upgrades (especially on keris). Certainly as a Western collector i am even more wary about changing out parts if it is not absolutely necessary due to them being either completely worn out or missing. But if i have a blade with a good, solid example like this i would certainly think twice before replacing it. It does seem to happen often with kris that we end up seeing ivory pommels on low quality blades like the one you are planning on swapping from. I think this often happens when dealers want to make a kris more appealing for the marketplace and they have a spare ivory pommel laying about. Also agree with Kai that you should take care of that rust on the tang, though i would image you were probably already on that. I also concur that you should show the whole blade. Sort of a tease to draw attention to a twisted core and then not properly show it.