Old Indonesian (?) mystery sword

Athanase · 5th January 2018, 10:59 AM

For me it's possibly an old klewang blade that has been resized (to change the shape).
The handle is also very old and very worn, but it was modified at its base (because broken?) At the time the sword was mounted in its current state.
I have the impression that it is an old klewang that has been restored and modified in a more European way in the first half of the 20th century.

mariusgmioc · 5th January 2018, 01:32 PM

I agree with Henk, as it appears to be a European blade reworked, or at least made from European monosteel.

Regards,

Marius

Kubur · 5th January 2018, 01:41 PM

For me
it's a Mandau dayak with Pedang hilt

Athanase · 5th January 2018, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

I agree with Henk, as it appears to be a European blade reworked, or at least made from European monosteel.

Regards,

Marius

I had seen lamination on the blade, but maybe it's just my imagination.

Sajen · 5th January 2018, 03:51 PM

Hi Ian,

I am with Séverin (Athanase) on this one. But it could be that the blade shape is original. This you can proof by a polish and etch since I think as well that the blade is laminated (sorry Marius), I've seen many unusual blade shapes by pedangs. It's for sure not a mandau blade (not concave/convex). Pommel is most probably carved from horn and can be called makara, maybe a little bit reshaped at the top.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 5th January 2018, 04:16 PM

Gents,

Thank you one and all!

All of your suggestions are most welcome and helpful. It is presently too cold in Minnesota (-20ºC on my patio deck) for me to etch the blade--my wife has banished all etching to be done outside since I inadvertently etched the sink in her laundry.

However, I can confirm that close inspection shows a laminated blade.

To my eyes this could well be a 19th C. blade originally, but I was being cautious earlier in saying pre-WWII. As far as being European-influenced, that was my thought also given the substantial bite out of the spine of the blade to create a very useful, and sharp, back edge. I think it's possible that this was made for, or used by, a European living in SE Asia.

Detlef, thanks for the suggestion that the hilt is a version of a makara. I had not thought of that. The hilt is made from horn and well rubbed over the years of use.

None of you esteemed gentleman has suggested an origin different from my "Indonesian (?)" suggestion, so I am assuming that you all agree with that attribution for my sword.

Thanks again for all the comments so far. Further suggestions are most welcome.

Ian.

P.S. I picked this one up about 10-15 years on an online site that is now defunct. It was labeled a Thai dha.

Sajen · 5th January 2018, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

However, I can confirm that close inspection shows a laminated blade.

Hi Ian,
thank you for confirming. Can you give the thickness of the blade near the handle?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Detlef, thanks for the suggestion that the hilt is a version of a makara. I had not thought of that. The hilt is made from horn and well rubbed over the years of use.

See the pictures taken from old threads which show other, sometimes unusual, makara styles from different origin. I think that the handle in very up is recarved, can you show a close-up from this area?[/QUOTE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

None of you esteemed gentleman has suggested an origin different from my "Indonesian (?)" suggestion, so I am assuming that you all agree with that attribution for my sword.

Yes, I am sure it's Indonesian, from Lombok I think.

Sajen · 5th January 2018, 08:50 PM

And here a handle from my own collection.

5th January 2018, 08:50 PM	#8
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,409	And here a handle from my own collection. Attached Images

5th January 2018, 10:59 AM	#1
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 428	For me it's possibly an old klewang blade that has been resized (to change the shape). The handle is also very old and very worn, but it was modified at its base (because broken?) At the time the sword was mounted in its current state. I have the impression that it is an old klewang that has been restored and modified in a more European way in the first half of the 20th century.

5th January 2018, 01:32 PM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,912	I agree with Henk, as it appears to be a European blade reworked, or at least made from European monosteel. Regards, Marius

5th January 2018, 01:41 PM	#3
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	For me it's a Mandau dayak with Pedang hilt

5th January 2018, 03:51 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,409	Hi Ian, I am with Séverin (Athanase) on this one. But it could be that the blade shape is original. This you can proof by a polish and etch since I think as well that the blade is laminated (sorry Marius), I've seen many unusual blade shapes by pedangs. It's for sure not a mandau blade (not concave/convex). Pommel is most probably carved from horn and can be called makara, maybe a little bit reshaped at the top. Regards, Detlef

5th January 2018, 04:16 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,513	Gents, Thank you one and all! All of your suggestions are most welcome and helpful. It is presently too cold in Minnesota (-20ºC on my patio deck) for me to etch the blade--my wife has banished all etching to be done outside since I inadvertently etched the sink in her laundry. However, I can confirm that close inspection shows a laminated blade. To my eyes this could well be a 19th C. blade originally, but I was being cautious earlier in saying pre-WWII. As far as being European-influenced, that was my thought also given the substantial bite out of the spine of the blade to create a very useful, and sharp, back edge. I think it's possible that this was made for, or used by, a European living in SE Asia. Detlef, thanks for the suggestion that the hilt is a version of a makara. I had not thought of that. The hilt is made from horn and well rubbed over the years of use. None of you esteemed gentleman has suggested an origin different from my "Indonesian (?)" suggestion, so I am assuming that you all agree with that attribution for my sword. Thanks again for all the comments so far. Further suggestions are most welcome. Ian. P.S. I picked this one up about 10-15 years on an online site that is now defunct. It was labeled a Thai dha.