Bangkung and kris

[Sajen]

Hello Carlos,

the bankung is very nice, like Robert I still looking for one. It seems to be in very good condition.

The kris is very very interesting. I personally would lean toward that it is a 19th Moro kris but I am far away to be an expert. When I am you I would clean the blade and etch it to see what is hidden under the corrosion. I am curious what the experts will tell you about it.

Regards,
Detlef

[Gustav]

It is a pity nobody else comments this really interesting kris.

I ask myself, if the more Keris-like looking krisses, lacking "arrow" feature at the Sogokan grooves (here another arhaic kris WITH it: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=early+kris), are not more likely coming from North Borneo and/or Brunei. I think of krisses like these:

http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1533

http://www.swordsantiqueweapons.com/s778_full.html



To me the hilt with the leaf motif looks also kind of like from there.

[Oliver Pinchot]

Carlos, congratulations. I like the faceted grip on the bankung very much.

[kai]

Hello Carlos,

Good to hear from you again. You seem to have been on an exciting shopping spree lately - congrats!

I like the faceted grip on the bankung very much.

Yes, this hilt type seems to go well with bangkung. Here's another example from the McGinty collection; a few more have been posted here. Rarely seen with barung though.

Regards,
Kai

P.S.: Pic courtesy of John - thanks!

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

The kris is very very interesting. I personally would lean toward that it is a 19th Moro kris

I'd agree that this a Moro kris - Sulu, early 19th c. Nice old-style hilt; note that the lower asang-asang was once (traditionally) attached with braided twine - in status examples this was often done with silver wire.

When I am you I would clean the blade and etch it to see what is hidden under the corrosion.

I don't think there is hidden twistcore here (you never know for sure unless you try though). A careful examination with a good magnifying glass should reveal some hints before doing anything that may irreversibly affect the blade.

If I were you, Carlos, I'd be very careful with cleaning up this blade and start out slowly with merely cleaning off any grime and loose rust (checking the blade closely in between). Possibly followed with very fine steel wool to remove any remaining active rust. The blade looks healthy; however, if any pitting shows up during cleaning, any extensive cleaning and etching may make it look worse and it may be preferable to keep the stable patina. As much as I'd love to see it's laminations I'd respectfully suggest not to overdo things.

BTW, is the hilt horn? Quite common with this hilt type but from the pics and the wear on both sides it might be wood as well?

Regards,
Kai