Hello,
I've just won the bid for this
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1
advertised as a "batak sword".
To me it looks lika a piso halasan
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=2322 (courtesy of Oriental-Arms) a weapon that has been discussed here before. I am a bit worried by the hair/buffalo tail at the tip of the scabbard, but it looks authentic enough.
Are these prone to forgery and the tourist industry yet or are they still relatively safe from modern mutilators?
I rather like the looks of these...this one is 18"-20" as I recall the original description, so a 13"-14" blade?
Comments would be most appreciated.
Emanuel