3 x Kabeala, Goluk,Alaman ? Do not know

[kai]

Hello Thomas,

Blade length 44 cm , total 59 cm , thickness starts at 7 mm , around 5 mm at half of the length. The scabbard shows a complete metalwork. I think that was a lot of handwork but from my opinion it looks not as a real good craftmanship. But this is just a feeling. The grip looks not well used. The bladeis looking older, but I ´ m not sure if it is just deeply etched to give the look of an old blade. The black core seems to be hard steel with softer outer layers.

This may originate from Sulawesi Selantan (Bone, Gowa, etc.) or expat communities like on Sumbawa.

The silverwork may not be top notch but certainly looks decent enough from the pics; age is tough to ascertain but I'd guess at least vintage to early 20th century. The hilt is certainly not Sumba style - I'd posit this is original to the blade and probably scabbard; looks like hardwood of decent quality, too.

The blade seems to have been stained in Java - too much surface corrosion for Bugis taste and maybe a bit too dark AFAIK. I don't see the high-carbon steel at the back of the blade which would hint at an inserted edge construction - can you verify?

I believe this qualifies as an alamang/alameng, at least in contemporary Bugis parlor - seems to be denoting swords with slender blades in general...

Regards,
Kai