Maguindanao kris and some questions

Sajen · 19th May 2012, 11:48 AM

Today I received this kris, I think that it is a Maguindanao kris from 1900-1920 which I show you in it's original state. The nice grainded pommel is loose and fixed with rotan wrapping and the back crest was broken and fixed with two wooden nails. I think that I will fix the pommel but of course with keeping the rotan wrapping. I am unsure if I should restore the broken crest, it is loose a little bit so I am sure that I can separate it and can reglue it in a better way, otherwise I like the flair of this tribal repair. What do you think? The blade will be cleaned and etched in the hope that it will show a nice lamination.
The kris was brought to the States by Per Ramee who was in the Philippines from 1910 to 1927 as instructor for shooting at Fort Wiliam McKinley (see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_William_McKinley).

All comments are very appreciated.

Sajen · 19th May 2012, 11:52 AM

More pictures.

Indianajones · 19th May 2012, 12:18 PM

Nice one again!
Yes this blade could indeed use a clean and etch! (as I am perhaps not against etching but just against destroying patine friend) And perhaps a nice modest polish after.
Hope you can wiggle the once broken end off easily and a good thing those pins are wood instead of ironnails; would be a hell of a job otherwise! You might first wrap a cloth around the endpiece for better grip.

Tip; to make a most tight fit after (loosening), you might need/consider to slightly grind the 2 breaksurfaces a bit hollow or concave. Otherwise -I know from experience- the glue will always be 'in the way' of the most tight fix.
With making concave I mean that only the outeredges will be very slightly standing above the rest of the breaksurface.

Good to have a history with it and . . .the scabbard.
(Hope you are not cross with me for my last comment on etching the tabak?! It was just my love for these blades n patine that came up

)

Sajen · 19th May 2012, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indianajones

Nice one again!
Yes this blade could indeed use a clean and etch! (as I am perhaps not against etching but just against destroying patine friend) And perhaps a nice modest polish after.
Hope you can wiggle the once broken end off easily and a good thing those pins are wood instead of ironnails; would be a hell of a job otherwise! You might first wrap a cloth around the endpiece for better grip.

Tip; to make a most tight fit after (loosening), you might need/consider to slightly grind the 2 breaksurfaces a bit hollow or concave. Otherwise -I know from experience- the glue will always be 'in the way' of the most tight fix.
With making concave I mean that only the outeredges will be very slightly standing above the rest of the breaksurface.

Good to have a history with it and . . .the scabbard.
(Hope you are not cross with me for my last comment on etching the tabak?! It was just my love for these blades n patine that came up

)

Thank you Wouter, still unsure if I shall restore it.

Don't worry about the tabak, you have a good point to let the blade untouched!

Sajen · 26th May 2012, 09:49 AM

160 views and no further comments?

David · 26th May 2012, 05:27 PM

I'll jump on board Detlef.

Ah, to restore or not to restore...always the question. Here are my thoughts on this one.
This has some really interesting native repairs going on. I especially like the wooden nails. Some interesting history there for sure. If this were mine i wouldn't change those a bit. I would simply clean it up a bit and maybe try to secure the pommel a bit if possible. You certainly can't remove the rattan and ever expect to get it back properly in place again. So i would clean up the blade and wood a bit and leave it be.
I really like this sheath btw.

19th May 2012, 11:48 AM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,497	Maguindanao kris and some questions Today I received this kris, I think that it is a Maguindanao kris from 1900-1920 which I show you in it's original state. The nice grainded pommel is loose and fixed with rotan wrapping and the back crest was broken and fixed with two wooden nails. I think that I will fix the pommel but of course with keeping the rotan wrapping. I am unsure if I should restore the broken crest, it is loose a little bit so I am sure that I can separate it and can reglue it in a better way, otherwise I like the flair of this tribal repair. What do you think? The blade will be cleaned and etched in the hope that it will show a nice lamination. The kris was brought to the States by Per Ramee who was in the Philippines from 1910 to 1927 as instructor for shooting at Fort Wiliam McKinley (see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_William_McKinley). All comments are very appreciated. Attached Images Last edited by Sajen; 19th May 2012 at 02:37 PM.

19th May 2012, 11:52 AM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,497	More pictures. Attached Images

19th May 2012, 12:18 PM	#3
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Nice one again! Yes this blade could indeed use a clean and etch! (as I am perhaps not against etching but just against destroying patine friend) And perhaps a nice modest polish after. Hope you can wiggle the once broken end off easily and a good thing those pins are wood instead of ironnails; would be a hell of a job otherwise! You might first wrap a cloth around the endpiece for better grip. Tip; to make a most tight fit after (loosening), you might need/consider to slightly grind the 2 breaksurfaces a bit hollow or concave. Otherwise -I know from experience- the glue will always be 'in the way' of the most tight fix. With making concave I mean that only the outeredges will be very slightly standing above the rest of the breaksurface. Good to have a history with it and . . .the scabbard. (Hope you are not cross with me for my last comment on etching the tabak?! It was just my love for these blades n patine that came up )

26th May 2012, 09:49 AM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,497	160 views and no further comments?

26th May 2012, 05:27 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,027	I'll jump on board Detlef. Ah, to restore or not to restore...always the question. Here are my thoughts on this one. This has some really interesting native repairs going on. I especially like the wooden nails. Some interesting history there for sure. If this were mine i wouldn't change those a bit. I would simply clean it up a bit and maybe try to secure the pommel a bit if possible. You certainly can't remove the rattan and ever expect to get it back properly in place again. So i would clean up the blade and wood a bit and leave it be. I really like this sheath btw.