ID help: Is this a Dua Lalan?

DaveA · 12th January 2016, 07:08 PM

Greetings for the New Year!

Today I bought another mystery sword (my favorite kind). I'd like to ask your opinion(s) because it doesn't seem to fit well with other examples.

The sword was advertised as "Toraja/Sulawesi Sword". The hilt suggests it is a Dua Lalan but ... not quite. The blade has a unique upswept tip profile that does not match other Dua Lalan I've seen.

What is it? Here are the seller's pictures. I will post my own pictures once the item arrives and I can clean it up a bit.

Thank you.

- Dave A.

kai · 12th January 2016, 07:56 PM

Hello Dave!

Quote:

The blade has a unique upswept tip profile that does not match other Dua Lalan I've seen.

The whole sword is upside down - still the blade is not traditional.

Sorry, I'm afraid the blade as well as the fittings are rather poor local repros (possibly from inside the culture and maybe intended for display/dancing); I'm fairly sure it's post-WW2, likely much younger...

Regards,
Kai

DaveA · 13th January 2016, 04:40 AM

Kai,

In baseball, we say, "A swing...and a miss!"

Thank you for your frank assessment. I shall reserve my own judgment until I can see the sword in person.

Win some, lose some. If I ever behave as if I am not a student of this subject, please reprimand me!

Dave A

Sajen · 13th January 2016, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Sorry, I'm afraid the blade as well as the fittings are rather poor local repros (possibly from inside the culture and maybe intended for display/dancing); I'm fairly sure it's post-WW2, likely much younger...

Hello Dave,

agree with Kai! Funnily enough I've handled this repro some time ago since this "sword" was sold from Germany with fair description to this unreliable seller in the States where I see it again.
Sadly I have to tell you that you will be very disappointed when you hold it in your hands, the blade is very thin and all is worked cheap. Sorry Dave.

Regards,
Detlef

DaveA · 26th January 2016, 06:46 PM

Happily, I can report that I am returning this sword for a full refund (thank you ePray). The sword that arrived was not even the one depicted by the pictures -- worse!!!

- Dave A.

12th January 2016, 07:08 PM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	ID help: Is this a Dua Lalan? Greetings for the New Year! Today I bought another mystery sword (my favorite kind). I'd like to ask your opinion(s) because it doesn't seem to fit well with other examples. The sword was advertised as "Toraja/Sulawesi Sword". The hilt suggests it is a Dua Lalan but ... not quite. The blade has a unique upswept tip profile that does not match other Dua Lalan I've seen. What is it? Here are the seller's pictures. I will post my own pictures once the item arrives and I can clean it up a bit. Thank you. - Dave A. Attached Images

13th January 2016, 04:40 AM	#3
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Baseball Kai, In baseball, we say, "A swing...and a miss!" Thank you for your frank assessment. I shall reserve my own judgment until I can see the sword in person. Win some, lose some. If I ever behave as if I am not a student of this subject, please reprimand me! Dave A

26th January 2016, 06:46 PM	#5
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Recycling Happily, I can report that I am returning this sword for a full refund (thank you ePray). The sword that arrived was not even the one depicted by the pictures -- worse!!! - Dave A.