Sumatran sword

Alam Shah · 27th May 2006, 05:54 AM

Hmm...I've handled this piece... A beautiful blade. Congratulation! The hilt, typical of a parang nabur but with a shorthened crossguard on both sides. See link for examples of the hilt crossguard...

http://www.eriksedge.com/INDO126.html
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...y=20085&fkxs=1
http://old.blades.free.fr/swords/parang/par04.htm

I doubt that it's a hulu "iku mie", Acehese 'Amanmeru' or a Batak form as well.
The blade however looks like a mandau blade.

Just my 2 cents opinion.

BluErf · 27th May 2006, 06:32 AM

Thanks for the pictures Shahrial. Yep, I see that the hit form is indeed the same as the parang nabur, but the blade form is definitely not.

I think the blade was forged locally, and not of indo-persian origins. Though the overall profile is like that of a mandau, it lacks the very slight arc we often see in mandaus, and also, I believe mandaus are bevelled on one side of the blade only. This piece is bevelled on both sides, thus allowing for ambidextrous use. Also, the tips of mandaus often have some 'extra' features adorning it, not 'clean' like this blade.

Dajak · 27th May 2006, 07:31 AM

Hi this is an Parang Nabur it is an malay sword that also was in use by the seadajaks.
the guard is missing you can see that they cut it off.
This form is not often but as you can see the straigt one that is in the book off Zonneveld and in my collection

Alam Shah · 27th May 2006, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluErf

... but the blade form is definitely not...

OK. The blade is not a mandau...anyone else have any idea?

My 2 cents becomes 1 cent worth.

BluErf · 28th May 2006, 04:13 AM

Hey Shahrial, don't worry about it. Our 2 cents do not devalue; they contribute to better understanding.

I agree with the opinion that this piece is a parang nabur with an unusual blade form. I read in Zonneveld's book that not all parang nabur has the D-guard, but in this case, the D-guard and quillon was probably sawed off at some point in time. However, I thought it sort of improved the 'aesthetics' of the blade when it is unsheathed -- the hilt flowed more smoothly into the blade. I do recognize that it does look a bit funny in its sheath, with the wood on the scabbard mouth showing.

The straight blades in Zonneveld's book, and that in Dajak's collection actually has a bit of convexity to the cutting edge. This example of mine is completely straight. Could it be case of this blade being 'salvaged' from another sword-type? Does anyone recognize this blade form in other types of Kalimantan or Malay swords?

One last thing - anyone knows of skilled Kalimantan craftsmen who can do a good job with the D-guard and quillon?

RobT · 28th May 2006, 05:01 AM

Hi Blu Erf,
The blade looks like a Philippine bangkung. I wonder if the Indonesians had a version of this sword also.
Sincerely,
RobT

BluErf · 28th May 2006, 05:21 AM

That sounds plausible, because after all, Kalimantan is very close to the Philippines. Whoa, the more we dig, the more information surfaces.

David - was that why you mentioned this sword could be called a 'sundang'?

Dajak · 28th May 2006, 08:40 AM

The blade form is like an mandau the straight one that I have has even an krowit like the Jimpul

27th May 2006, 05:54 AM	#1
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Hmm...I've handled this piece... A beautiful blade. Congratulation! The hilt, typical of a parang nabur but with a shorthened crossguard on both sides. See link for examples of the hilt crossguard... http://www.eriksedge.com/INDO126.html http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...y=20085&fkxs=1 http://old.blades.free.fr/swords/parang/par04.htm I doubt that it's a hulu "iku mie", Acehese 'Amanmeru' or a Batak form as well. The blade however looks like a mandau blade. Just my 2 cents opinion. Last edited by Alam Shah; 27th May 2006 at 06:05 AM. Reason: added links...

27th May 2006, 07:31 AM	#3
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi this is an Parang Nabur it is an malay sword that also was in use by the seadajaks. the guard is missing you can see that they cut it off. This form is not often but as you can see the straigt one that is in the book off Zonneveld and in my collection Attached Images

28th May 2006, 05:01 AM	#6
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 568	Bangkung? Hi Blu Erf, The blade looks like a Philippine bangkung. I wonder if the Indonesians had a version of this sword also. Sincerely, RobT

27th May 2006, 06:32 AM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Thanks for the pictures Shahrial. Yep, I see that the hit form is indeed the same as the parang nabur, but the blade form is definitely not. I think the blade was forged locally, and not of indo-persian origins. Though the overall profile is like that of a mandau, it lacks the very slight arc we often see in mandaus, and also, I believe mandaus are bevelled on one side of the blade only. This piece is bevelled on both sides, thus allowing for ambidextrous use. Also, the tips of mandaus often have some 'extra' features adorning it, not 'clean' like this blade.

28th May 2006, 04:13 AM	#5
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hey Shahrial, don't worry about it. Our 2 cents do not devalue; they contribute to better understanding. I agree with the opinion that this piece is a parang nabur with an unusual blade form. I read in Zonneveld's book that not all parang nabur has the D-guard, but in this case, the D-guard and quillon was probably sawed off at some point in time. However, I thought it sort of improved the 'aesthetics' of the blade when it is unsheathed -- the hilt flowed more smoothly into the blade. I do recognize that it does look a bit funny in its sheath, with the wood on the scabbard mouth showing. The straight blades in Zonneveld's book, and that in Dajak's collection actually has a bit of convexity to the cutting edge. This example of mine is completely straight. Could it be case of this blade being 'salvaged' from another sword-type? Does anyone recognize this blade form in other types of Kalimantan or Malay swords? One last thing - anyone knows of skilled Kalimantan craftsmen who can do a good job with the D-guard and quillon?

28th May 2006, 05:21 AM	#7
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	That sounds plausible, because after all, Kalimantan is very close to the Philippines. Whoa, the more we dig, the more information surfaces. David - was that why you mentioned this sword could be called a 'sundang'?

28th May 2006, 08:40 AM	#8
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	The blade form is like an mandau the straight one that I have has even an krowit like the Jimpul