What kind of sword is this???

VVV · 4th March 2013, 09:04 AM

When I found it I hoped that it might be a variation of the Jenawi from South Borneo but I have not been able to confirm it. The scabbard resembles those found in Banjar, even if the blade is shorter than a regular Jenawi.
The tricky part are the pentagram star and the European letters S.B. I have been suggested a masonic or rosicrucian origin. However, the sword is a quite heavy fighter and does not resemble any of the ceremonial swords found on the Internet. And the handle seems to be made of albino carabao.
Any ideas on the origin and other suggestions?

Michael

Royston · 4th March 2013, 01:45 PM

Hello Michael

I like the unusual and this is definitely one of them.
Never seen anything like it, but it is nice.
What are the dimensions ?
Is that a frog stud on the scabbard ?
Is the pommel cap off centre or is this an optical illusion ?

The blade appears Western and the rest of it appears Eastern.
The pentagram is also unusual in it's appearance.

I hope someone comes up with a definite idea on this.

Cheers
Roy

trenchwarfare · 4th March 2013, 07:41 PM

I'm going to venture a guess: Spanish Colonial Artillery Sword from the Filippines. My quess comes from a Naval Cutlass I once had with a similarly angular hilt. But curved, with a knuckle bow.

VVV · 4th March 2013, 07:42 PM

Thanks Roy and Trench,

It's 26" with a 18 1/2" blade.
There is a stud on the sheath and the pommel cap is half-loose.

Trench, do you have any reference picture on the sword you had in mind?

Michael

napoleon · 4th March 2013, 11:59 PM

i think it looks spanish and very art deco for what its worth ,oddities are always fun .

pbleed · 5th March 2013, 03:26 AM

Very interesting. It certainly could be a "one off", but I agree with Trench that it has a Spanish colonial look. I'd like close ups of the scabbard fittings.
Peter

VVV · 5th March 2013, 06:24 PM

Peter,

Here are the close ups.

Michael

Robert · 5th March 2013, 07:10 PM

Hello, I have been waiting to see how this thread progressed in hopes of learning the heritage of this great sword and decided I might as well add my two cents worth of ideas about this into the mix. The general shape to me looks very similar to that of a gladius and the star symbol could be a Stella Maris or star of the sea. That being said for some reason this sword (to me anyway) has a very French look to it, perhaps a French presentation sword of some kind. Not much help I'm afraid but something to think about.

Best,
Robert

carlos · 5th March 2013, 07:55 PM

The sword remember me one sword from the french ecole de mars.
Best regards
Carlos

4th March 2013, 09:04 AM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	What kind of sword is this??? When I found it I hoped that it might be a variation of the Jenawi from South Borneo but I have not been able to confirm it. The scabbard resembles those found in Banjar, even if the blade is shorter than a regular Jenawi. The tricky part are the pentagram star and the European letters S.B. I have been suggested a masonic or rosicrucian origin. However, the sword is a quite heavy fighter and does not resemble any of the ceremonial swords found on the Internet. And the handle seems to be made of albino carabao. Any ideas on the origin and other suggestions? Michael Attached Images

5th March 2013, 06:24 PM	#7
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Peter, Here are the close ups. Michael Attached Images

4th March 2013, 01:45 PM	#2
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	Hello Michael I like the unusual and this is definitely one of them. Never seen anything like it, but it is nice. What are the dimensions ? Is that a frog stud on the scabbard ? Is the pommel cap off centre or is this an optical illusion ? The blade appears Western and the rest of it appears Eastern. The pentagram is also unusual in it's appearance. I hope someone comes up with a definite idea on this. Cheers Roy

4th March 2013, 07:41 PM	#3
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	I'm going to venture a guess: Spanish Colonial Artillery Sword from the Filippines. My quess comes from a Naval Cutlass I once had with a similarly angular hilt. But curved, with a knuckle bow.

4th March 2013, 07:42 PM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks Roy and Trench, It's 26" with a 18 1/2" blade. There is a stud on the sheath and the pommel cap is half-loose. Trench, do you have any reference picture on the sword you had in mind? Michael

4th March 2013, 11:59 PM	#5
napoleon Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 88	i think it looks spanish and very art deco for what its worth ,oddities are always fun .

5th March 2013, 03:26 AM	#6
pbleed Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 88	Very interesting. It certainly could be a "one off", but I agree with Trench that it has a Spanish colonial look. I'd like close ups of the scabbard fittings. Peter

5th March 2013, 07:10 PM	#8
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello, I have been waiting to see how this thread progressed in hopes of learning the heritage of this great sword and decided I might as well add my two cents worth of ideas about this into the mix. The general shape to me looks very similar to that of a gladius and the star symbol could be a Stella Maris or star of the sea. That being said for some reason this sword (to me anyway) has a very French look to it, perhaps a French presentation sword of some kind. Not much help I'm afraid but something to think about. Best, Robert

5th March 2013, 07:55 PM	#9
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	The sword remember me one sword from the french ecole de mars. Best regards Carlos