Indonesian ? nice / raw Sword

asomotif · 10th November 2020, 07:34 PM

Good evening,

That is indeed an intersting sikin panjang.
There is not much to add to everthing that Kai has mentioned.

If possible, I would like to see pictures of the hilt in a normal upright position and not under an angle. Because as Kai mentions, the connection to the steel bolster is a bit crude. It would be interesting to have better view on that and also on the decorations incised.

These weapons are rather uniform, but still have all kinds of small differences and variations. And the freaks under us, they want to see as much variations as possible.

Best regards,
Willem

francantolin · 16th November 2020, 07:32 PM

Hello,

I finally get it !

I like the green patinated hilt,
the blade seems an old ( really old ?) one made of flexible steel,
interesting scabbard and sure the crowns,
low grade gold or brass ??
I think four crown is right ( so maybe weird if just made of brass !?! )
but maybe you'll tell me it's ''just'' a 3 plus 1 , a later addition...

What do you think ?

francantolin · 16th November 2020, 07:37 PM

It didn't cost two pence but I think it's not a bad one...
I forgot: razor blade edge,

Kind regards

kai · 16th November 2020, 09:54 PM

Hello Franc,

Thanks for the additional pics!

They confirm our earlier thoughts: Blade, horn hilt, and scabbard are genuine and also exhibit the expected wear of a 19th c. piece; I still believe the light streaks at the pommel to be much later additions. Aceh blades like this sikin panjang or peudeueng pajang are known to be usually very well forged and of high quality - an etch will tell a bit more but is not mandatory at all. The scabbard is of above-average quality and almost certain to originate from Aceh proper; try to look for inscriptions while carefully nourishing and cleaning the wood. More on the calyx later.

It isn't a bad piece - let me repeat: This certainly is an interesting grab!

Let me know if you ever get tired of it...

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 17th November 2020, 12:46 AM

It does look to me based on the patina and color hue that the triple crown at the base is brass.

francantolin · 17th November 2020, 09:48 AM

Thank you Kai for your kind message !
The infos are really helpful !

For the brass(?) 3+ crowns,
I just wonder if the all gold mounted multi crowns sikin panjangs were just ceremonials weapons ( with the ivory scabbard...)

and the brass mounted, less soft than gold , for ''real battle weapons''
as the samuraïs did when they alternate the koshirae on their swords
between battle/ceremonial

I read too about suasa gold and the islamic position about to much gold on weapons, maybe there is a clue here ?...

francantolin · 17th November 2020, 02:50 PM

Here three other pictures for share,

The whole sword, with daylight pictures, always better...

and one of the scabbard as you mentioned Kai,
with interesting inscriptions, the shape for an islamic sourate but no text/ sentences...
talismanic ?

Kind regards

10th November 2020, 07:34 PM	#1
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	Good evening, That is indeed an intersting sikin panjang. There is not much to add to everthing that Kai has mentioned. If possible, I would like to see pictures of the hilt in a normal upright position and not under an angle. Because as Kai mentions, the connection to the steel bolster is a bit crude. It would be interesting to have better view on that and also on the decorations incised. These weapons are rather uniform, but still have all kinds of small differences and variations. And the freaks under us, they want to see as much variations as possible. Best regards, Willem Attached Images

16th November 2020, 07:32 PM	#2
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 833	Hello, I finally get it ! I like the green patinated hilt, the blade seems an old ( really old ?) one made of flexible steel, interesting scabbard and sure the crowns, low grade gold or brass ?? I think four crown is right ( so maybe weird if just made of brass !?! ) but maybe you'll tell me it's ''just'' a 3 plus 1 , a later addition... What do you think ? Attached Images

16th November 2020, 07:37 PM	#3
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 833	It didn't cost two pence but I think it's not a bad one... I forgot: razor blade edge, Kind regards Attached Images

17th November 2020, 02:50 PM	#7
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 833	Here three other pictures for share, The whole sword, with daylight pictures, always better... and one of the scabbard as you mentioned Kai, with interesting inscriptions, the shape for an islamic sourate but no text/ sentences... talismanic ? Kind regards Attached Images

16th November 2020, 09:54 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,233	Hello Franc, Thanks for the additional pics! They confirm our earlier thoughts: Blade, horn hilt, and scabbard are genuine and also exhibit the expected wear of a 19th c. piece; I still believe the light streaks at the pommel to be much later additions. Aceh blades like this sikin panjang or peudeueng pajang are known to be usually very well forged and of high quality - an etch will tell a bit more but is not mandatory at all. The scabbard is of above-average quality and almost certain to originate from Aceh proper; try to look for inscriptions while carefully nourishing and cleaning the wood. More on the calyx later. It isn't a bad piece - let me repeat: This certainly is an interesting grab! Let me know if you ever get tired of it... Regards, Kai

17th November 2020, 12:46 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,142	It does look to me based on the patina and color hue that the triple crown at the base is brass.

17th November 2020, 09:48 AM	#6
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 833	Thank you Kai for your kind message ! The infos are really helpful ! For the brass(?) 3+ crowns, I just wonder if the all gold mounted multi crowns sikin panjangs were just ceremonials weapons ( with the ivory scabbard...) and the brass mounted, less soft than gold , for ''real battle weapons'' as the samuraïs did when they alternate the koshirae on their swords between battle/ceremonial I read too about suasa gold and the islamic position about to much gold on weapons, maybe there is a clue here ?...