Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 9th September 2006, 07:41 PM   #1
Bill M
Member
 
Bill M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA Georgia
Posts: 1,599
Default Need sword ID help.

I am rephotographing my collection for a new insurance company. I can not remember where this sword is from. I have no records. I would really appreciate help here. it is 26" long OAL. The blade does come out the back of the scabbard as shown.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. I will be posting a few more as I come across them. The pictures are intentionally light to show detail.

I am also thinking about putting some pieces on a website and will be asking for your in depth help in details about some of my more obscure pieces.

I should keep better records.....
Attached Images
      

Last edited by Bill Marsh; 10th September 2006 at 03:51 AM.
Bill M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9th September 2006, 09:31 PM   #2
David
Keris forum moderator
 
David's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,123
Default

Wow, that must be quite an undertaking if you are re-shooting your entie collection.
I think that one is Sumatran if i'm not mistaken.
David is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9th September 2006, 09:35 PM   #3
Tim Simmons
Member
 
Tim Simmons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,807
Default

love the finish at the end of the scabbard .
Tim Simmons is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9th September 2006, 09:52 PM   #4
ariel
Member
 
ariel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
Default

Parang Amanremu?
ariel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9th September 2006, 10:12 PM   #5
David
Keris forum moderator
 
David's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,123
Default

I'll go a step further and suggest that perhaps this sword comes from the Batak region of Sumatra.
David is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9th September 2006, 10:22 PM   #6
Tim Simmons
Member
 
Tim Simmons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,807
Default

I wonder if this sword has a lot more to tell. To me it does not look used, though clearly an old piece. Also in a martial sense it does look a little awkward and the handle could be seen as not 100% functional for fighting. I get the feeling this is very high status, perhaps in a religious way. Could it be some sort of sacrificial sword or other emblem of ceremony.
Tim Simmons is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10th September 2006, 09:52 AM   #7
Tim Simmons
Member
 
Tim Simmons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,807
Default

Looking at the sword as a whole, with the finish on the scabbard tip. Is this a snake/naga? If it is, it would be nice if someone could elaborate. I am sure I am not the only one that needs informing about such matters.
Tim Simmons is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12th September 2006, 08:10 AM   #8
Tim Simmons
Member
 
Tim Simmons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,807
Default

Not just what it is, but why it is what it is?
Tim Simmons is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12th September 2006, 12:05 PM   #9
Bill M
Member
 
Bill M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA Georgia
Posts: 1,599
Default

I remembered the seller and emailed him. He got it from Adni about five years ago. I sent Adni a link to this thread and asked for more info. Will let you all know what he says.
Bill M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th September 2006, 01:36 PM   #10
Bill M
Member
 
Bill M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA Georgia
Posts: 1,599
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Marsh
I remembered the seller and emailed him. He got it from Adni about five years ago. I sent Adni a link to this thread and asked for more info. Will let you all know what he says.
Adni just responded.

"The origin is surely Batak and aside from one similar example I have presently at the site (interested? It makes a nice pair to the one already have), I can recall at least 2 more. The hilt form with the squatting human figurine style is clearly Batak, and we also see this style in their other swords that usually comes with brass fittings. The fretworks at the base of the blade also has similarities with other Batak swords. The shape of the blade and the sheath is where the confusion comes in. Geographically, the region Batak in central Sumatra has one large city, Medan and I can only suggest that this is maybe a variant of the Batak swords from the lesser known or populated tribes there. Not much else I can add I’m afraid."

I am getting the other one. Maybe some day I'll travel there and see these poeple myself.
Bill M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th September 2006, 09:14 PM   #11
tom hyle
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Posts: 1,254
Default

I had one of these. Is the handle made from antler, by any chance? Does this remind anyone else of Bornean parangs ( 'latok, 'lading...) ?
tom hyle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st September 2006, 11:11 PM   #12
RhysMichael
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Virginia
Posts: 520
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tom hyle
I had one of these. Is the handle made from antler, by any chance? Does this remind anyone else of Bornean parangs ( 'latok, 'lading...) ?
I would have guessed parang lading based on the blade shape but its just a guess
RhysMichael is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th November 2018, 01:24 PM   #13
Bill M
Member
 
Bill M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA Georgia
Posts: 1,599
Default

Any new ideas?
Bill M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29th November 2018, 12:08 AM   #14
kai
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,254
Red face

Hello Bill,

Could you possibly add pics of the second one you obtained, too?

These definitely exhibit Batak style. IMHO not old though; in the examples I saw, the blade quality was modest, too.

There are genuine antique klewang-type blades with scabbards opening along the back from Sumatra. However, these look quite a bit different.

Regards,
Kai
kai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30th November 2018, 09:43 AM   #15
DaveA
Member
 
DaveA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 413
Default Possibly Ladeng

This may be a variant of the klewang known as Ladeng (Ladeeng, Ladieng) from N.Sumatra. I recently purchased this one and am awaiting delivery. Blade shape is similar; hilts are obviously different. Second picture is a Batak hilt on a lawi ayam.
Ladeng photo courtesy of oriental-arms.com. I will upload new photos when it arrives.
Attached Images
  
DaveA is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:09 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.