European sword PL with Islamic? markings to guard

[phil.reid]

Friends just shown me a sword he picked up in Bali/ Indonesia, shop keeper said it was Dutch, has a small crowned PL ( Paul Luneschloss?) to the brass knuckle guard and what looks like Islamic? Siamese script to cross guard. Any thought appreciated.

[Ian]

Phil,

Please post a full length picture of the sword, as required for all translation requests. Thank you.

Ian.

[phil.reid]

sure, ill remember that for future, full length photo, think blades a period refit, you'll see tang pins been removed

[phil.reid]

handle, note drilled for tang pin

[Jim McDougall]

This is of course an example of the ubiquitous 'briquet', which is the common infantry sidearm used so widely throughout European countries in the early into mid 19th century.

However, this example is profoundly unique in the history it holds.

According to J.P.Puype "Blanke Wapens", p.74, #108.
This is an infantry saber No.2 (M1819) which is indeed a briquet following French model ANIX (1801).

The tang button is apparent in the example shown.

The crowned PL must be some sort of regional acceptance mark, especially with the crown. If not mistaken Luneschloss was later in the century (not that this pattern did not remain in use)...and in my impression used the initials PDL in marking blades (often in oval cartouche).

As noted, this was from Bali, which, while most of Indonesia's population is Muslim, Bali is 87 % Hindu. These markings appear to be Sanskrit characters.

Perhaps though a Dutch weapon, this example was issued to someone in a local levy or police unit?

[Jim McDougall]

Was it something I said?

[Radboud]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Was it something I said?

No, you pretty much summed up the sword well.

Only thing I will add is that the Crown over PL is likely an inspectors stamp. The auction catalogue for the Dutch Army museum sale lists such an inspectors stamp (but doesn’t show an example) so it is quite likely to be a central rather then regional mark.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Radboud

No, you pretty much summed up the sword well.

Only thing I will add is that the Crown over PL is likely an inspectors stamp. The auction catalogue for the Dutch Army museum sale lists such an inspectors stamp (but doesn’t show an example) so it is quite likely to be a central rather then regional mark.

Thank you so much Radboud! and I appreciate your confirmation on the marking as well as always for your sincere courtesy in responding to my post. I thought my analysis after finding what I thought would be helpful after some time researching would at least perpetuate other examples or some sort of onward discussion. If Phil is still around.....I was hoping I had not framed my wording in some manner that would have been unintentionally offensive. Things seem to get pretty touchy these days.
Very best regards,
Jim