Probably Sumatran and not Moro

Ian · 27th August 2005, 09:10 PM

This one just finished on eBay and I was disappointed to be outbid for it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=6554991416

IMO this is not, as advertised, a Moro sword, but more likely a katungung used by the Pakpak and Batak peoples of Sumatra. The katungung resembles a klewang or long pedang, has a nearly straight edge and spine to the blade, and is carried in an almost straight scabbard that widens only at the mouth (v. Zonneveld,* p. 62). Only the hilt would be atypical for a katungung, everything else looks right, including the scabbard.

Someone else bought a very nice sword, probably for the wrong reason. Sayang!

Ian.

* Albert von Zonneveld. Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. Zwartenkot Art Books: Leiden. 2001.

27th August 2005, 09:10 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,167	Probably Sumatran and not Moro This one just finished on eBay and I was disappointed to be outbid for it: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=6554991416 IMO this is not, as advertised, a Moro sword, but more likely a katungung used by the Pakpak and Batak peoples of Sumatra. The katungung resembles a klewang or long pedang, has a nearly straight edge and spine to the blade, and is carried in an almost straight scabbard that widens only at the mouth (v. Zonneveld,* p. 62). Only the hilt would be atypical for a katungung, everything else looks right, including the scabbard. Someone else bought a very nice sword, probably for the wrong reason. Sayang! Ian. * Albert von Zonneveld. Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. Zwartenkot Art Books: Leiden. 2001.