What's going on here (Batak)?

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

Some lopah petawaran scabbards have similar cross piece styles, see attached examples. I think that this is a very old genuine style IMVHO.

Yes, possibly: As I mentioned, it is tough to find well-provenanced, early examples. I haven't seen any of this specific laterally compressed type that I firmly trust to be from the old days, say, over 150 years old...

Paolo's LP seems to also exhibit this thin silver crosspiece; it's most likely much younger than the blade though.

As I mentioned, the crosspiece style - as seen in profile! - is genuinely old. In addition to your example, there are more flamboyant traditional shapes, too.

Regards,
Kai