ID help: Is this a Dua Lalan?
 

Greetings for the New Year!

Today I bought another mystery sword (my favorite kind). I'd like to ask your opinion(s) because it doesn't seem to fit well with other examples.

The sword was advertised as "Toraja/Sulawesi Sword". The hilt suggests it is a Dua Lalan but ... not quite. The blade has a unique upswept tip profile that does not match other Dua Lalan I've seen.

What is it? Here are the seller's pictures. I will post my own pictures once the item arrives and I can clean it up a bit.

Thank you.

- Dave A.

Hello Dave!

The whole sword is upside down - still the blade is not traditional.

Sorry, I'm afraid the blade as well as the fittings are rather poor local repros (possibly from inside the culture and maybe intended for display/dancing); I'm fairly sure it's post-WW2, likely much younger...

Regards,
Kai

Baseball
 

Kai,

In baseball, we say, "A swing...and a miss!"

Thank you for your frank assessment. I shall reserve my own judgment until I can see the sword in person.

Win some, lose some. If I ever behave as if I am not a student of this subject, please reprimand me!

Dave A

Hello Dave,

agree with Kai! Funnily enough I've handled this repro some time ago since this "sword" was sold from Germany with fair description to this unreliable seller in the States where I see it again.
Sadly I have to tell you that you will be very disappointed when you hold it in your hands, the blade is very thin and all is worked cheap. Sorry Dave.

Regards,
Detlef

Recycling
 

Happily, I can report that I am returning this sword for a full refund (thank you ePray). The sword that arrived was not even the one depicted by the pictures -- worse!!!

- Dave A.