I'd Like to Learn More About This Borneo Sword/Parang
 

This sword was a recent Ebay purchase. I was very pleased to get it and once in hand it was an even more impressive piece.

The blade does not seem to fit neatly into any of E. Banks blade categories in his Hoplology In Sarawak, and seems more like one of van Zonneveld's(Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago) jimpul variants (plate 165). I am hoping we'll get some more feedback on this form from our Borneo blades experts.

The hilt is the largest one of its type I have seen from Borneo. While the blade is typical in length(19in.) and weight, the hilt is over 1.5inches wide at the end and over 4in. in circumference.

It appears that one of the forward krowits has broken off.

The patina and carving are impressive throughout.

Rattan bands and hilt plug(can't remember the correct term!) have been restored.

Dimensions:

Overall: 27in.

Blade Length: 19in. Width: 2in. at its widest point. Thickness: 3/8 in. at the forte.

Hello Charles,

This looks like (another) gayang to me.

Te style of the carvings on scabbard and handel are quite different from each other. Combined with the shiny resin ferrule, I suspect this to be a rehilted example.

Never the less a desirable example.

Best regards,
Willem

ITS A BEAUTY. I WOULD THINK IT IS LIKELY IN THE JIMPUL GROUP BUT I AM FAR FROM KNOWLEDGEABLE ENOUGH TO ADD MUCH. THE CARVING ON THE PANEL ON THE SCABBARD AND PERHAPS A GOOD PICTURE OF THE CARVING ON THE BACK OF THE HANDLE MAY BE OF HELP FOR THE EXPERTS TO PIN DOWN REGION AND TRIBE FOR YOU AS THEY ARE NOT THE USUAL DESIGN. I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED ONE OF THESE AND THIS ONE IS ESPECIALLY NICE. CONGRATULATIONS. :cool:

Hello Willem,

could be that the old resin was broken or missing and that it is just a recent restore IMVHO. Just read again post #1 from Charles, it is like supposed. ;)

Charles,

great sword, have watched the auction. :)

Regards,
Detlef

That is indeed also possible.

Best regards,
Willem

Yes, I tried to restore the resin plug....and again, the name of it escapes me...to the width, thickness, color and patination of what remained of the original one. There was enough of it left to discern about what it would have originally looked like.

Hi Charles,

To me it looks like an Iban Tilang Kamarau (see Banks' article) with indications of a West Kalimantan (or close to the border in Sarawak) origin.
Why do you hesitate on this classification?

Michael

PS I agree with Willem about the possible later modifications.

Thanks for all the input guys!

Michael, what was throwing me off a bit was the "two stepped" end of the blade on my example. I did realize the "TK" was the best fit, but I suppose I was looking too hard for something exact.

IMHO, at some point we have to stop our urge to find "sub-sub-categories" for classifications. ;)

Michael

Yes....I am all for non-complication and making things more simple!!

I THREW UP MY HANDS AND GAVE UP LONG AGO WHEN WE MOVED FROM MANDAU OR PARANG ILANG. :D