Keris Melayu - all original & unmessed with

Battara · 1st February 2007, 12:36 AM

Most likely "mamas" is a form of "German Silver" or a nickel-copper mix. Can look like silver, but isn't. Lots of "silver" mounts on many Filipino/Moro pieces are actually this white metal mix.

BluErf · 1st February 2007, 12:46 AM

Thanks for the info. I think I know what mamas is. I have had a few pieces with metal parts which looked like silver, but looks harder and not so malleable.

I found a part on the pendok which I did not polish; just a few wipes with the silver polishing cloth. It looks black enough.

A. G. Maisey · 1st February 2007, 01:06 AM

Yep, it does. Almost a bit too black. I've had stuff in my hand that I would have sworn was silver. Only way to know for sure is to test.

David · 1st February 2007, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Most likely "mamas" is a form of "German Silver" or a nickel-copper mix. Can look like silver, but isn't. Lots of "silver" mounts on many Filipino/Moro pieces are actually this white metal mix.

A lot of folks think that that stuff that we all call "German silver" actually has some small quantity of silver in it, but AFAIK it does not.

1st February 2007, 12:46 AM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Thanks for the info. I think I know what mamas is. I have had a few pieces with metal parts which looked like silver, but looks harder and not so malleable. I found a part on the pendok which I did not polish; just a few wipes with the silver polishing cloth. It looks black enough. Attached Images

1st February 2007, 12:36 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,316	Most likely "mamas" is a form of "German Silver" or a nickel-copper mix. Can look like silver, but isn't. Lots of "silver" mounts on many Filipino/Moro pieces are actually this white metal mix.

1st February 2007, 01:06 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,056	Yep, it does. Almost a bit too black. I've had stuff in my hand that I would have sworn was silver. Only way to know for sure is to test.