A Learning Experience?

RobT · 24th October 2021, 04:53 PM

Hi All,

European weaponry isn't really my thing but because this Dutch klewang (ostensibly VOC) was being sold for very little, I decided to take a chance. Upon carefully examining the sword, I fear that I have been treated to what ruefully is called a learning experience. The blade is about 25.375" (64.4cm) long. The guard, ferrule, and backstrap are brass. The hilt looks like bone with a brass wire wrap but where the white "bone" has been chipped and worn away, the material is black which indicates plastic so the best I can hope for is some sort of 20 century dress sword. The sheath is brown leather sewn down the back. A loop of brass is riveted to a leather flap at the throat. The leather flap has a slit in it and is fastened to a partially intact leather band. The brass drag has been stapled to the sheath. I don't know if the staples (1 missing) are original.

Sincerely,
Rob T

ariel · 25th October 2021, 11:53 AM

Don’t know about this particular example, but you are not the first or the last one on this Forum or even museum circles to get the dreaded “learning experience”....

No admonitions like” caveat emptor” or “ be more careful next time” will help: the unceasing battle between the sword and the shield always ends in favor of the aggressive implement. Our defenses are always penetrable. Been there on the receiving end, done that:-(((

Tim Simmons · 25th October 2021, 05:12 PM

Ah the learning experience, will happen again some day no matter how long you have been in the game.

Ian · 25th October 2021, 06:19 PM

Rob,

I think I know what you have but would like to see more pictures of the hilt and blade. In the meanwhile, you might take a look at this thread on the Maréchaussée sabel (Dutch klewang).

Ian

RobT · 26th October 2021, 12:05 AM

Ariel & Tim,

Thanks for the kind words. I think this sort of thing is kind of like a fender bender where, had I been a bit more attentive, I wouldn't have gotten hit.

Ian,

I did read your excellent thread and the links to posts that others had supplied. As a matter of fact, it was reading your thread that caused me to doubt the validity of my item. I know that the top of the guard looks like some of the Tjikeroh swords but I have never seen a Tjikeroh sword with a counter guard like mine. I also noted that, like some Tjikeroh swords, the hilt on my sword is held onto the blade by a through tang (perhaps threaded). The blade quality of my sword isn't as fine as any of the Tjikeroh swords that I have seen. I would be happy to supply more pictures if you tell me what parts of the hilt and blade you would like to see.

Sincerely,
RobT

Ian · 26th October 2021, 04:18 AM

H Rob,

Could you show us the grip and backstrap of the hilt, the forte area of the blade, a section of the blade with the fuller, and a clearer view of the tip.

Thanks.

24th October 2021, 04:53 PM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 486	A Learning Experience? Hi All, European weaponry isn't really my thing but because this Dutch klewang (ostensibly VOC) was being sold for very little, I decided to take a chance. Upon carefully examining the sword, I fear that I have been treated to what ruefully is called a learning experience. The blade is about 25.375" (64.4cm) long. The guard, ferrule, and backstrap are brass. The hilt looks like bone with a brass wire wrap but where the white "bone" has been chipped and worn away, the material is black which indicates plastic so the best I can hope for is some sort of 20 century dress sword. The sheath is brown leather sewn down the back. A loop of brass is riveted to a leather flap at the throat. The leather flap has a slit in it and is fastened to a partially intact leather band. The brass drag has been stapled to the sheath. I don't know if the staples (1 missing) are original. Sincerely, Rob T Attached Images

25th October 2021, 06:19 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	Rob, I think I know what you have but would like to see more pictures of the hilt and blade. In the meanwhile, you might take a look at this thread on the Maréchaussée sabel (Dutch klewang). Ian Last edited by Ian; 25th October 2021 at 06:35 PM.

25th October 2021, 11:53 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Don’t know about this particular example, but you are not the first or the last one on this Forum or even museum circles to get the dreaded “learning experience”.... No admonitions like” caveat emptor” or “ be more careful next time” will help: the unceasing battle between the sword and the shield always ends in favor of the aggressive implement. Our defenses are always penetrable. Been there on the receiving end, done that:-(((

25th October 2021, 05:12 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	Ah the learning experience, will happen again some day no matter how long you have been in the game.

26th October 2021, 12:05 AM	#5
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 486	Ariel & Tim, Thanks for the kind words. I think this sort of thing is kind of like a fender bender where, had I been a bit more attentive, I wouldn't have gotten hit. Ian, I did read your excellent thread and the links to posts that others had supplied. As a matter of fact, it was reading your thread that caused me to doubt the validity of my item. I know that the top of the guard looks like some of the Tjikeroh swords but I have never seen a Tjikeroh sword with a counter guard like mine. I also noted that, like some Tjikeroh swords, the hilt on my sword is held onto the blade by a through tang (perhaps threaded). The blade quality of my sword isn't as fine as any of the Tjikeroh swords that I have seen. I would be happy to supply more pictures if you tell me what parts of the hilt and blade you would like to see. Sincerely, RobT

26th October 2021, 04:18 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	H Rob, Could you show us the grip and backstrap of the hilt, the forte area of the blade, a section of the blade with the fuller, and a clearer view of the tip. Thanks.