Moro Kris

Andrew · 28th June 2006, 04:32 AM

That's interesting! Is it possible the ganga is silver or silver plate, Kino?

nechesh · 28th June 2006, 05:18 AM

Now that's interesting.....and beautiful!

I wonder if it could also be nickel. I know it isn't affected by arsenic and lime on Indo keris. Perhaps it would resist PCB etchant as well. But Andrew has a point and it does look a bit like silver. Was the gangya tarnished before you etched?
The blade certainly looks Moro, but i have never seen this type of hilt before. At first look it (the hilt) appears distictly un-Moro. Do you think this is a re-hilted blade?

kino · 28th June 2006, 06:01 AM

Maybe I should have it assayed to see what the silver or nickle content is.
In Cato's book, pg. 61, a Kris with a similar type of hilt. I don't think it's a re-hilt.
Here is what it looked like when I first got it.

Ferguson · 28th June 2006, 11:23 AM

Wow. Outstanding piece.

Steve

Rick · 28th June 2006, 01:52 PM

If that gangya has silver in it or is silver it would turn black with an etch .
Suspect that it is high nickel content alloy .
The hilt reminds me of Borneo work without the inten .
Also , is it just me or is that a pretty skinny tang on this sword .

Could we possibly be looking at a genuine Borneo kris ?

Ian · 28th June 2006, 08:03 PM

Here's how I think this was done. With the blade disassembled, the separate gangya and the top inch or so of the blade were electroplated -- possibly chromed. Then the plated portion of the main blade was lightly ground/polished back leaving only the elephant trunk area still plated. The main part of the blade was etched and the sword reassembled to create its present state.

The hilt is similar to those on some of the highly decorated smaller kris being produced in Lanao. In which case this one could be Maranao in origin.

Ian.

Battara · 29th June 2006, 01:33 AM

I think that the hilt is a later style. I also agree with Rick - if the ganga were silver it would have turned black or very dark brown. Only chrome or possibly nickle would not react to the etchant.

28th June 2006, 06:01 AM	#3
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	Maybe I should have it assayed to see what the silver or nickle content is. In Cato's book, pg. 61, a Kris with a similar type of hilt. I don't think it's a re-hilt. Here is what it looked like when I first got it. Attached Images

28th June 2006, 01:52 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	If that gangya has silver in it or is silver it would turn black with an etch . Suspect that it is high nickel content alloy . The hilt reminds me of Borneo work without the inten . Also , is it just me or is that a pretty skinny tang on this sword . Could we possibly be looking at a genuine Borneo kris ? Last edited by Rick; 28th June 2006 at 03:43 PM. Reason: More thoughts

28th June 2006, 04:32 AM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	That's interesting! Is it possible the ganga is silver or silver plate, Kino?

28th June 2006, 05:18 AM	#2
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Now that's interesting.....and beautiful! I wonder if it could also be nickel. I know it isn't affected by arsenic and lime on Indo keris. Perhaps it would resist PCB etchant as well. But Andrew has a point and it does look a bit like silver. Was the gangya tarnished before you etched? The blade certainly looks Moro, but i have never seen this type of hilt before. At first look it (the hilt) appears distictly un-Moro. Do you think this is a re-hilted blade?

28th June 2006, 11:23 AM	#4
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Wow. Outstanding piece. Steve

28th June 2006, 08:03 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,398	Here's how I think this was done. With the blade disassembled, the separate gangya and the top inch or so of the blade were electroplated -- possibly chromed. Then the plated portion of the main blade was lightly ground/polished back leaving only the elephant trunk area still plated. The main part of the blade was etched and the sword reassembled to create its present state. The hilt is similar to those on some of the highly decorated smaller kris being produced in Lanao. In which case this one could be Maranao in origin. Ian.

29th June 2006, 01:33 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I think that the hilt is a later style. I also agree with Rick - if the ganga were silver it would have turned black or very dark brown. Only chrome or possibly nickle would not react to the etchant.