A Unique Silver Mounted Parang

CharlesS · 8th November 2017, 04:16 PM

This parang needed a lot of clean up to make it as "blingy" as it certainly originally was. The silver work is not particularly impressive, especially on the hilt. The silver is an alloy with somewhat strong silver content. The blade and its pamor are quite attractive.

I can't help but wonder here if the blade is an older remount to later silver fittings.

Does anyone have an idea of the age of the piece as it is now?

Dimensions:
Overall length: 27.5in.
Blade length: 22in.
Blade width at the center of the blade: 1.25in.

A. G. Maisey · 8th November 2017, 10:56 PM

Charles, I would suggest that testing of these mounts might result in them being found to be brass that has been silver plated.

To test with certainty it is necessary to get into the base metal, this requires scraping, something most people will not do on an external surface, so you need to get to an inside surface, which for a person not familiar with construction methods used with these swords, can be a little daunting. Silver test fluid can be bought from a jewelers supply house.

The blade is certainly old, probably pre-dating 1850.

These old swords are almost never found in anything approaching the mounts that they were originally fitted with. The really old mounts were usually wood or horn. Scabbards were wood. Unlike keris, swords were used in battlefield combat, so scabbards were thrown away, not carried in combat.

The metal mounts that these swords are usually found with now mostly date from around 1850 to the present.

Athanase · 8th November 2017, 11:01 PM

Can you do a close up of the scabbard please?
In the overall picture I have the impression that the quality of the work of the sleeve is different from that of the handle.

Battara · 9th November 2017, 04:37 AM

With the exception of the yellow light, the hugh does look like silver to me, but Alan is right that to be sure, get it tested.

A. G. Maisey · 9th November 2017, 04:49 AM

I do my own testing of silver: a bottle of silver test fluid lasts for years, the process is simple, you just put a drop onto a clean surface, if it turns red its silver, the speed of colour change and depth of colour give an indication of level of purity. The stuff is cheap.

The big problem is getting into the core material. With a pendok or scabbard cover that can be removed you can scratch down on the inside surface to core material with a little scraper, but who wants to do that scratching on a visible and finished surface?

Not me, that's for sure.

So then you need to either find a place where the scratching will not be seen, or disassemble the sword or scabbard, and if you do not know exactly how these were put together in the first place, this can be a real trap for young players.

Good silver plating will test as silver --- but it is not. The difference between the value of silver and the value of silver plate very big, it is not just material value, silver work costs multiples of work in brass.

mariusgmioc · 9th November 2017, 07:54 AM

Whether silver or brass, this is definitely a beautiful sword that I wouldn't scratch only in order to test it for silver.

I am pretty sure it is silver (most likely in an alloy with copper), but if it is only silver plated, you should be able to find proof by simply carefully examining the sword with a magnifying glass. Just look for already existing scratches or places where the metal is worn out, and if it is only plated, you'll easily discern the yellowish hue of the base metal.

PS: Silver is usually found in different alloys with copper and tin and depending on the composition of the alloy, it can be white or yellowish, with strong shine or somehow duller.

Kubur · 9th November 2017, 08:00 AM

Hi
i think it's just tombak, tembaga
but the sword is beautiful!

asomotif · 9th November 2017, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

, but who wants to do that scratching on a visible and finished surface?

I would gladly scratch this hilt down to the core... (oops, I said it

)
It is plain ugly and and no match with the blade or scabbard.

The scabbard is of a later date than the blade.
But the hilt must surely be a later addition again.

Best regards,
Willem

A. G. Maisey · 9th November 2017, 12:51 PM

Yep.

CharlesS · 9th November 2017, 05:45 PM

While I have not tested the metal yet, I tend to agree with everything that has been said here, that is:

* the blade is older than the rest
* the scabbard is of better craftsmanship than the hilt
* the hilt is the least attractive and likely the latest part of the sword, but specifically made for this sword

These things pretty much confirm my original thoughts.

Thanks for your input, gentlemen!

8th November 2017, 04:16 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	A Unique Silver Mounted Parang This parang needed a lot of clean up to make it as "blingy" as it certainly originally was. The silver work is not particularly impressive, especially on the hilt. The silver is an alloy with somewhat strong silver content. The blade and its pamor are quite attractive. I can't help but wonder here if the blade is an older remount to later silver fittings. Does anyone have an idea of the age of the piece as it is now? Dimensions: Overall length: 27.5in. Blade length: 22in. Blade width at the center of the blade: 1.25in. Attached Images

9th November 2017, 04:49 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,897	I do my own testing of silver: a bottle of silver test fluid lasts for years, the process is simple, you just put a drop onto a clean surface, if it turns red its silver, the speed of colour change and depth of colour give an indication of level of purity. The stuff is cheap. The big problem is getting into the core material. With a pendok or scabbard cover that can be removed you can scratch down on the inside surface to core material with a little scraper, but who wants to do that scratching on a visible and finished surface? Not me, that's for sure. So then you need to either find a place where the scratching will not be seen, or disassemble the sword or scabbard, and if you do not know exactly how these were put together in the first place, this can be a real trap for young players. Good silver plating will test as silver --- but it is not. The difference between the value of silver and the value of silver plate very big, it is not just material value, silver work costs multiples of work in brass. Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 9th November 2017 at 08:22 AM. Reason: clarification

9th November 2017, 07:54 AM	#6
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	Whether silver or brass, this is definitely a beautiful sword that I wouldn't scratch only in order to test it for silver. I am pretty sure it is silver (most likely in an alloy with copper), but if it is only silver plated, you should be able to find proof by simply carefully examining the sword with a magnifying glass. Just look for already existing scratches or places where the metal is worn out, and if it is only plated, you'll easily discern the yellowish hue of the base metal. PS: Silver is usually found in different alloys with copper and tin and depending on the composition of the alloy, it can be white or yellowish, with strong shine or somehow duller. Last edited by mariusgmioc; 9th November 2017 at 03:17 PM.

8th November 2017, 10:56 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,897	Charles, I would suggest that testing of these mounts might result in them being found to be brass that has been silver plated. To test with certainty it is necessary to get into the base metal, this requires scraping, something most people will not do on an external surface, so you need to get to an inside surface, which for a person not familiar with construction methods used with these swords, can be a little daunting. Silver test fluid can be bought from a jewelers supply house. The blade is certainly old, probably pre-dating 1850. These old swords are almost never found in anything approaching the mounts that they were originally fitted with. The really old mounts were usually wood or horn. Scabbards were wood. Unlike keris, swords were used in battlefield combat, so scabbards were thrown away, not carried in combat. The metal mounts that these swords are usually found with now mostly date from around 1850 to the present.

8th November 2017, 11:01 PM	#3
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	Can you do a close up of the scabbard please? In the overall picture I have the impression that the quality of the work of the sleeve is different from that of the handle.

9th November 2017, 04:37 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	With the exception of the yellow light, the hugh does look like silver to me, but Alan is right that to be sure, get it tested.

9th November 2017, 08:00 AM	#7
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi i think it's just tombak, tembaga but the sword is beautiful!

9th November 2017, 12:51 PM	#9
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,897	Yep.

9th November 2017, 05:45 PM	#10
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	While I have not tested the metal yet, I tend to agree with everything that has been said here, that is: * the blade is older than the rest * the scabbard is of better craftsmanship than the hilt * the hilt is the least attractive and likely the latest part of the sword, but specifically made for this sword These things pretty much confirm my original thoughts. Thanks for your input, gentlemen!