Hello Matt,
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the hilt does look similar to pictures of other Riau hilts.
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It's certainly not the most common type from that area.
Can the hilt be carefully removed? Maybe try to take a pic of the blade without shadow - this will allow the shape to be seen better.
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Would this blade have been something that was made for the tourist trade and was sold to the gentleman during the war? Or could it be something older that he picked up while he was there?
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Nah, not a tourist piece. If picked up during the WW2 period, both hilt and, especially, blade were likely decades old.
Regards,
Kai