Leaf Patterned Bladed Moro Kris?

Rick · 15th July 2005, 11:37 PM

I'm no 'expert'

but it has a very interesting gangya . Is the baca baca on the tail side made from wire ?
The 'leaf' marks are unusual and I wonder if they are intentional ; they certainly look so .
A light citrus etch might tell more .
A Mindanao sword from the look of the scabbard .

Lew · 16th July 2005, 03:40 PM

Hi Guys

I did a citrus etch and this is how it turned out. You can really get a good look at the pattern in the blade now.

Lew

Battara · 16th July 2005, 08:14 PM

Very interesting pattern. More etching might bring more out. I remember this Maguindanao piece at the show when you showed it to me.

Ferguson · 17th July 2005, 10:49 AM

Gorgeous!

Steve

Bill · 21st July 2005, 04:52 PM

Nice sword Lew, What are your thoughts? Do you think it has its original ganga. A work in progress, that never was completed, to the original owners hopes? From the pics, it looks like a quality 19thC blade, with early 20thC hilt, & the stirups were temps?

Lew · 21st July 2005, 07:03 PM

Hi Bill

The ganga are meant to be that way I have seen this type without file work before on a few examples mostly Maguindanao kris. The baca baca seem to have been either added or repeared at a later date do to the presents of some sloppy solder work. Everything else seems original to the kris which I place between 1900-1920s. The scabbard might be a later addition also?

Lew

Rick · 21st July 2005, 07:13 PM

Lew , other than the leaf shaped markings are there any indications that this blade is layer forged ?

Bill · 21st July 2005, 07:37 PM

Looks like the asang-asang that goes over the elephant, are 2 seperate peices of metal. If you think the solder was done early 20thC, my vote would be to leave it alone. To alter it you need to rub some flux on it, heat it with a soldering iron, not on the solder but ajoining metal, & then wipe with a stiff piece of cloth, canvas would be perfect. To totally remove it, no flux needed, just heat up & use an old paint brush to flick it off when you see it starts to melt, keep heating & flicking untill its gone. A large soldering iron should work, if not you can use a small torch, but I'd advise against it unless you're familar with using one, you might mark up the piece & the solder will splatter.

16th July 2005, 03:40 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Guys I did a citrus etch and this is how it turned out. You can really get a good look at the pattern in the blade now. Lew Attached Images

15th July 2005, 11:37 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	I'm no 'expert' but it has a very interesting gangya . Is the baca baca on the tail side made from wire ? The 'leaf' marks are unusual and I wonder if they are intentional ; they certainly look so . A light citrus etch might tell more . A Mindanao sword from the look of the scabbard .

16th July 2005, 08:14 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Very interesting pattern. More etching might bring more out. I remember this Maguindanao piece at the show when you showed it to me.

17th July 2005, 10:49 AM	#4
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Gorgeous! Steve

21st July 2005, 04:52 PM	#5
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Nice sword Lew, What are your thoughts? Do you think it has its original ganga. A work in progress, that never was completed, to the original owners hopes? From the pics, it looks like a quality 19thC blade, with early 20thC hilt, & the stirups were temps?

21st July 2005, 07:03 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Bill The ganga are meant to be that way I have seen this type without file work before on a few examples mostly Maguindanao kris. The baca baca seem to have been either added or repeared at a later date do to the presents of some sloppy solder work. Everything else seems original to the kris which I place between 1900-1920s. The scabbard might be a later addition also? Lew

21st July 2005, 07:13 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Lew , other than the leaf shaped markings are there any indications that this blade is layer forged ?

21st July 2005, 07:37 PM	#8
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Looks like the asang-asang that goes over the elephant, are 2 seperate peices of metal. If you think the solder was done early 20thC, my vote would be to leave it alone. To alter it you need to rub some flux on it, heat it with a soldering iron, not on the solder but ajoining metal, & then wipe with a stiff piece of cloth, canvas would be perfect. To totally remove it, no flux needed, just heat up & use an old paint brush to flick it off when you see it starts to melt, keep heating & flicking untill its gone. A large soldering iron should work, if not you can use a small torch, but I'd advise against it unless you're familar with using one, you might mark up the piece & the solder will splatter.