Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


132 - Sumatran Pedang Saber with a Laminated (Damascus) Steel Blade

The hilt is of a form characteristic of Sumatra with a proximal hilt of intricately carved dark horn in a floral pattern. The area of the grip is covered by thin silver embossed in a consistent theme which then becomes plain as it flares out to meet the blade. Unfortunately, there is denting in this widened area and the silver appears to have shifted forward towards the blade exposing a no longer overlapping join. The blade is composed of finely laminated steel and is a shape that is to an extent reminiscent of a Japanese sword. Van Zonneveld (2001) notes use of Japanese swords in the area and also the skill of the local smiths in replicating features of foreign blades. The scabbard is of smoothly finished wood with what appears to be a horn ferrule at the mouth and at the tip where there is some repaired damage. Lew dated this example as circa 1890. The single edged blade is just under 24 inches in length; the overall length is 32¼ imches and the weight is 32½ ounces.




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