Looking for some Kris info

[kai]

IMHO this kris is a genuine piece crafted the traditonal Moro way (separate gangya, regular blade thickness, original hilt & pommel with silver bands, solid asang-asang (clamps), original anting-anting cloth); I'd guess that the blade is laminated.

I think it dates around the turn of the 19th/20th century: Without collecting date I'd had estimated 1895-1930 and with the collecting date 1895-1905 seems reasonable. Such a complete piece with sound provenance is rare regardless of age.

I agree that the workmanship (e. g. scroll work on both sides of the gangya, scabbard, etc) is not top-notch, especially not datu quality. However, I'd suggest that comparing kris crafted during the US occupation (BTW, I love how everone contesting US troops becomes a bandit or outlaw ) with mid-19th century (or older) kris is like comparing apples with oranges.

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

BTW, I also think this is a good early gunong - get it to Steve and the laminations will make you a believer, I guess.

[Ferguson]

Everything i've learned on this forum says that your gunong is a very nice older one. Maybe in the range of 1890-1920? Dating is so very difficult. But for sure it's a nice one, as is the kris. I have a couple that are similar. Oddly to me, most that I have with this very curvy blade are not laminated. Can't explain that. Possibly with such a small blade there was no need to mix the high and lower carbon steels? I don't know.

The other dagger is a mystery to me. I haven't seen anything in that style before. But the quality is good, and it does seem to be Philippine.

I would be prould to own any of these 3 pieces. Treasure them for their value as antique weapons, and for the fact that they belonged to your grandfather.

If you want to see some pics of some of my gunong, they are at http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v1...Public/Gunong/

Steve

[hockeysew]

Originally Posted by kai

IMHO this kris is a genuine piece crafted the traditonal Moro way (separate gangya, regular blade thickness, original hilt & pommel with silver bands, solid asang-asang (clamps), original anting-anting cloth); I'd guess that the blade is laminated.

I think it dates around the turn of the 19th/20th century: Without collecting date I'd had estimated 1895-1930 and with the collecting date 1895-1905 seems reasonable. Such a complete piece with sound provenance is rare regardless of age.

I agree that the workmanship (e. g. scroll work on both sides of the gangya, scabbard, etc) is not top-notch, especially not datu quality. However, I'd suggest that comparing kris crafted during the US occupation (BTW, I love how everone contesting US troops becomes a bandit or outlaw ) with mid-19th century (or older) kris is like comparing apples with oranges.

Regards,
Kai

I do not believe that the blade is a laminated/Damascus style. I see no indications of any type of lamination.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by hockeysew

I do not believe that the blade is a laminated/Damascus style. I see no indications of any type of lamination.

I'd agree with Bill, Kai and the others in that this is a good older -- 1890's blade and though you may not be able to see laminations in it's present state of "polish" I would be very surprised if it was NOT laminated. You could etch it using methods described in several posts on this forum and see.

I have several similar kris and they have laminated blades.

[Spunjer]

Originally Posted by hockeysew

I do not believe that the blade is a laminated/Damascus style. I see no indications of any type of lamination.

safest way to find out is by placing the blade under hot running water... look for lamination patterns...

[Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Spunjer

safest way to find out is by placing the blade under hot running water... look for lamination patterns...

Well that's cool! Great tip.
Steve