First Post - Identification Assistance Much Appreciated

[JustYS]

Hi Alan,

Beside the eye hole in the end of the tang what are the other characteristics for Sombro style Keris? Ganja iras or not?

Thank you

[Sajen]

All Sombro I've seen had a ganja iras.

Here my example.

[oariff]

Thank you very much. I hv had to look up for most of the terms used in the replies to even understand things.

I hv attached a few more pics of the blade.

As for removing the hilt, am worried that I can't put it together again.:

Cheers.

[David]

Originally Posted by oariff

Thank you very much. I hv had to look up for most of the terms used in the replies to even understand things.

I hv attached a few more pics of the blade.

As for removing the hilt, am worried that I can't put it together again.:

Cheers.

Welcome to the forum Omar.
It does indeed look to be a Keris Sombro, but a hole in the end of the pesi (tang) would be a defining trademark. These are so called after a legendary female Empu (keris smith) who used to thread these blades to carry them around and if you wanted one in the middle of the bunch the eye in the pesi was usually broken as she pulled it off the string.
As Alan explained, a keris hilt is usually pressure fit into the hilt, This is done by wrapping fabric or thread around the pesi (tang) any sort of screwing the pesi up into the hole in the hilt. I can understand if you choose not to mess with it, but reattaching a hilt in this manner is not very difficult. It is pretty much a "skill" that all keris collectors learn pretty early on. If you are really worried about this then leave it as is, but then you really can't be sure if it is indeed a Sombro keris. If the hilt hasn't been fixed with an adhesive you should be able to turn the hilt back and forth. Wiggling it gently while pulling the back on the hilt should allow it to come off. Once the hilt is off it will be pretty obvious what needs to be done to put it back in place.

[oariff]

Thank you very much Sajen and Alan for your guidance to remove the hilt. It was a pressure fit feeling. I have enclosed 2 more images for you to see.

Were these types of keris more weapons or amulets? For the average common guy?

How would I best summarise this weapon in point form: Origin, blade, dapor etc

Cheers.

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes, this is a Sombro.

We do not apply tangguh indicators to this form of keris, Keris Sombro is sufficient.

Within Javanese culture & society these keris are considered to be amulets, people seem to have varying ideas about what their talismanic qualities are except that these are invariably positive, however, it does seem to be universally recognised that they will assist in childbirth.

[Sajen]

Yes, clearly a keris Sombro.

The handle looks in your new pictures much better. The mendak (the ring) is a little bit damaged but I would still use it until you find a better one.

Regards,
Detlef

[JustYS]

Thank you Sajen