A long Piso

Tim Simmons · 19th August 2007, 01:22 PM

Podang. Is this a local blade. I will post better pics when it arrives. It seems a long one the total length is 42.5 inches.

VVV · 19th August 2007, 09:21 PM

Nice!

Seems like a straight Piso Podang which is more rare than the curved one.
Look forward to see more pictures when it has arrived.

Michael

katana · 20th August 2007, 04:57 PM

Nice addition Tim.....bid on this myself.....nice to see a fellow formite won it

Look forward to future pictures. Not so certain about the Samoan link

Tim Simmons · 20th August 2007, 05:14 PM

Thanks David, I am hoping that it is a nice local blade and not a knackered pitted old thing, usually they do not come with a scabbard so fingers crossed. Sorry about out biding but life is like that. Remeber the old Charles Atlas adverts

.

Tim Simmons · 31st August 2007, 04:48 PM

In spite of it not really being my thing and knowing nothing about this area I find this sword quite interesting. The blade is 96cm long and flexible like a cavalry sabre. I think it is a slashing weapon. I also think it is of native manufacture although the engraving on the back does have some semblance to European writing, but I do not think it is. The whole thing was covered in old yellowed varnish. Once removed it is possible to see that the blade is covered in the paterns of folded steel, pamor? has been etched? and in very go condition as is the scabbard except a few rattan rings are missing. If any body has some old rattan rings bits they do not need you could pm me

Anyway here are some pics of the whole thing and close ups latter.

Tim Simmons · 31st August 2007, 04:58 PM

Engraving on the back. What is it? is it shown the right way round?

More close ups of blade. The back of the blade is at the bottom of the picture.

Any comments? tell me more about it?

Tim Simmons · 1st September 2007, 10:35 AM

http://home.hccnet.nl/wer.davies/dav1800.html

Lew · 1st September 2007, 12:38 PM

Hi Galvano

That is a nice find. I have seen pisos with native made blades and wootz blades imported from Persia so why not a French blade. Many cultures in Asia and surrounding areas considered European blades to be superior to their own locally made blades and were very desirable to own.

Lew

Tim Simmons · 1st September 2007, 01:48 PM

I think this is just pattern welded steel finished to suit the Sumaran taste. Like much of French bladed weaponry it is rather nice.

Tim Simmons · 1st September 2007, 04:39 PM

This might help explain French weapons in Sumatra.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padri_War

I do not think a Dutch or British colonial administration would welcome thier enemy or recent enemy free trade to arm the bolshy natives?

asomotif · 3rd September 2007, 02:06 PM

I can not read the date / year on the blade's back.
Which year is it ?

I should check some books, but this is a french 'heavy' cavalry blade I think.

very nice catch.

19th August 2007, 01:22 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,783	A long Piso Podang. Is this a local blade. I will post better pics when it arrives. It seems a long one the total length is 42.5 inches. Attached Images

31st August 2007, 04:48 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,783	Finally got my hands on it In spite of it not really being my thing and knowing nothing about this area I find this sword quite interesting. The blade is 96cm long and flexible like a cavalry sabre. I think it is a slashing weapon. I also think it is of native manufacture although the engraving on the back does have some semblance to European writing, but I do not think it is. The whole thing was covered in old yellowed varnish. Once removed it is possible to see that the blade is covered in the paterns of folded steel, pamor? has been etched? and in very go condition as is the scabbard except a few rattan rings are missing. If any body has some old rattan rings bits they do not need you could pm me Anyway here are some pics of the whole thing and close ups latter.

31st August 2007, 04:58 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,783	More close up Engraving on the back. What is it? is it shown the right way round? More close ups of blade. The back of the blade is at the bottom of the picture. Any comments? tell me more about it?

1st September 2007, 10:35 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,783	Stuff on Napoleonic Sumatra http://home.hccnet.nl/wer.davies/dav1800.html

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19th August 2007, 09:21 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Nice! Seems like a straight Piso Podang which is more rare than the curved one. Look forward to see more pictures when it has arrived. Michael

20th August 2007, 04:57 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Nice addition Tim.....bid on this myself.....nice to see a fellow formite won it Look forward to future pictures. Not so certain about the Samoan link

20th August 2007, 05:14 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,783	Thanks David, I am hoping that it is a nice local blade and not a knackered pitted old thing, usually they do not come with a scabbard so fingers crossed. Sorry about out biding but life is like that. Remeber the old Charles Atlas adverts .

1st September 2007, 12:38 PM	#8
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Galvano That is a nice find. I have seen pisos with native made blades and wootz blades imported from Persia so why not a French blade. Many cultures in Asia and surrounding areas considered European blades to be superior to their own locally made blades and were very desirable to own. Lew

1st September 2007, 01:48 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,783	I think this is just pattern welded steel finished to suit the Sumaran taste. Like much of French bladed weaponry it is rather nice.

1st September 2007, 04:39 PM	#10
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,783	This might help explain French weapons in Sumatra. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padri_War I do not think a Dutch or British colonial administration would welcome thier enemy or recent enemy free trade to arm the bolshy natives?

3rd September 2007, 02:06 PM	#11
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,224	I can not read the date / year on the blade's back. Which year is it ? I should check some books, but this is a french 'heavy' cavalry blade I think. very nice catch.