Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 14th May 2017, 03:48 PM   #1
Ferguson
Member
 
Ferguson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
Default What did I buy? Borneo/Malaysion Kris blade?

Good day all. Found this on Ebay and the blade made me think of a couple of older small kris that I have. Wonder if it is made from a broken blade? The coin that forms the guard is from "British North Borneo" and dates from as early as 1882 to the mid 1900s. From the lines on the blade I wouldn't be surprised to see a twist core, but that may be wishful thinkiing. Pictures are from the auction. I haven't received it yet.

Auction description is:

" This auction is for a rare original 18th to 19 century Malaysian Warrior's Keris dagger knife with the original hardwood scabbard. This beautiful old Indonesian Kris Blade knife has a very sharp double edge blade, a copper blade guard with engraved warriors, a hardwood handle that matches the scabbard, and the scabbard has hand forged brass rings at each end. Overall this old original Kris blade dagger knife is in very good condition appearing lightly used with a solid handle and some very minor micro pitting blemishes. The scabbard has a chipped knob on one side and minor split seams but is also in very good condition overall. Please zoom in on all pictures for details. This knife measures 19 3/4" with a 14 5/8" blade and the total weight in the scabbard is approx. 1 lb. "
Attached Images
      
Ferguson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14th May 2017, 05:28 PM   #2
Ian
Vikingsword Staff
 
Ian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,006
Default

Hi Ferguson:

Good catch.

I think the blade was originally part of a Moro kris. A broken or sawn down part of a kris perhaps. Judging from the form of the luk and the width of the blade, I think this might have been quite an old blade originally, perhaps 18th C.

It would not be surprising to find an old Moro blade being re-used in N. Borneo.

Ian.
Ian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14th May 2017, 11:09 PM   #3
Ferguson
Member
 
Ferguson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian
Hi Ferguson:

Good catch.

I think the blade was originally part of a Moro kris. A broken or sawn down part of a kris perhaps. Judging from the form of the luk and the width of the blade, I think this might have been quite an old blade originally, perhaps 18th C.

It would not be surprising to find an old Moro blade being re-used in N. Borneo.

Ian.
Thanks Ian,
It should arrive tomorrow or Tuesday. Can't wait to get it in hand.
Steve
Ferguson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15th May 2017, 12:05 AM   #4
Battara
EAAF Staff
 
Battara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,135
Default

Ian I was thinking the same thing!

The ganga is missing of course. Not surprised since there was so much trade between the Moros of the Philippines and Borneo, and there were some Moro communities on the coast of Sabah, Borneo.
Battara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15th May 2017, 12:51 AM   #5
Ian
Vikingsword Staff
 
Ian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,006
Default

Hi Jose. Glad we are on the same page.

Steve, I think you should polish and etch the blade. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Ian
Ian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15th May 2017, 01:48 AM   #6
Ferguson
Member
 
Ferguson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian
Hi Jose. Glad we are on the same page.

Steve, I think you should polish and etch the blade. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Ian
I will!
Steve
Ferguson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15th May 2017, 01:49 AM   #7
russel
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Posts: 236
Default

I had hoped it was someone here who outbid me on that one, I'm keen to see the results of a polish and etch.

Cheers, Russel
russel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15th May 2017, 04:10 AM   #8
Rafngard
Member
 
Rafngard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 321
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by russel
I had hoped it was someone here who outbid me on that one, I'm keen to see the results of a polish and etch.
I agree 100% with this.
Maybe next time I'll remember to bid more.

Have fun,
Leif
Rafngard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15th May 2017, 09:17 AM   #9
Ferguson
Member
 
Ferguson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
Default

Russel and Leif, I feel the same way when I lose a bid to a forum member. I haven't bought any edged weapons in a while and had a really strong feeling about this one. I first thought it was a large gunong made from a kris blade until I researched the coin.
More to come after it arrives.
Thank you all,
Steve
Ferguson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15th May 2017, 04:50 PM   #10
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,407
Default

Hello Steve,

very interesting piece. Curious to see your pictures after you have given it care and an etch. Same thoughts as Ian and Jose. But keep in mind that the coin could also be traded to the Philippines. Anyway, very interesting item. Hope you will find twistcore!

Regards,
Detlef
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16th May 2017, 03:38 PM   #11
Ferguson
Member
 
Ferguson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
Default

Received yesterday. The blade looks really old. It is thin at about .117" (3.02 mm). So I just gave it a light polish and a light etch with 3:1 ferric chloride. This is usually a pretty light etch, but the edges turned very dark immediately. Must be a fairly high carbon steel. I don't like such a contrast, but it is what it is. No real pattern evident, just the higher carbon laminated edges. The coin is dated 18X8, so it's either 1888, or 1898. This one cent bronze coin was made from 1882 to 1907. Overall I'm pleased with the purchase! Thank you all for your comments and interest.

Steve
Attached Images
   
Ferguson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 16th May 2017, 05:46 PM   #12
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,407
Default

Nice piece Steve! Maybe polish the blade a little bit finer and etch it again.

Best regards,
Detlef
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17th May 2017, 02:51 AM   #13
Battara
EAAF Staff
 
Battara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,135
Default

I have an early kris with a blade just like this, including the look after etching.
Battara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th May 2017, 09:55 AM   #14
F. de Luzon
Member
 
F. de Luzon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 184
Default

Based on the shape, it looks like a re-purposed blade of an archaic Moro kris. I agree with Battara.

Last edited by F. de Luzon; 19th May 2017 at 12:23 AM.
F. de Luzon is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:09 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.