Sumatran sword

Alam Shah · 27th May 2006, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluErf

... but the blade form is definitely not...

OK. The blade is not a mandau...anyone else have any idea?

My 2 cents becomes 1 cent worth.

BluErf · 28th May 2006, 03:13 AM

Hey Shahrial, don't worry about it. Our 2 cents do not devalue; they contribute to better understanding.

I agree with the opinion that this piece is a parang nabur with an unusual blade form. I read in Zonneveld's book that not all parang nabur has the D-guard, but in this case, the D-guard and quillon was probably sawed off at some point in time. However, I thought it sort of improved the 'aesthetics' of the blade when it is unsheathed -- the hilt flowed more smoothly into the blade. I do recognize that it does look a bit funny in its sheath, with the wood on the scabbard mouth showing.

The straight blades in Zonneveld's book, and that in Dajak's collection actually has a bit of convexity to the cutting edge. This example of mine is completely straight. Could it be case of this blade being 'salvaged' from another sword-type? Does anyone recognize this blade form in other types of Kalimantan or Malay swords?

One last thing - anyone knows of skilled Kalimantan craftsmen who can do a good job with the D-guard and quillon?

RobT · 28th May 2006, 04:01 AM

Hi Blu Erf,
The blade looks like a Philippine bangkung. I wonder if the Indonesians had a version of this sword also.
Sincerely,
RobT

BluErf · 28th May 2006, 04:21 AM

That sounds plausible, because after all, Kalimantan is very close to the Philippines. Whoa, the more we dig, the more information surfaces.

David - was that why you mentioned this sword could be called a 'sundang'?

Dajak · 28th May 2006, 07:40 AM

The blade form is like an mandau the straight one that I have has even an krowit like the Jimpul

BluErf · 28th May 2006, 08:22 AM

Hi Dajak,

Thanks. However, I thought though the blade may a bit like a mandau, but there are quite a number of klewang form in Sumatra which also looks like this. Hence, when I first looked at it, I thought it was N. Sumatran. The hilt convinced me otherwise.

I was informed of a closed ebay auction (by a fellow forumnite - Derreck) for a parang nabur. Hope Derreck does not mind me attaching the picture for discussion purpose.

I noticed that the D-guard in the picture is attached to a white brass nail that seemed to be hammered into the pommel. My parang nabur's hilt had no traces of such a nail insertion. Is it that not all D-guards for parang nabur ends up being nailed to the pommel?

Dajak · 28th May 2006, 02:13 PM

NO not al see pic there are much types but to me it looks like the handle is not the original it maybe a replace handle

28th May 2006, 04:01 AM	#3
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 563	Bangkung? Hi Blu Erf, The blade looks like a Philippine bangkung. I wonder if the Indonesians had a version of this sword also. Sincerely, RobT

28th May 2006, 08:22 AM	#6
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hi Dajak, Thanks. However, I thought though the blade may a bit like a mandau, but there are quite a number of klewang form in Sumatra which also looks like this. Hence, when I first looked at it, I thought it was N. Sumatran. The hilt convinced me otherwise. I was informed of a closed ebay auction (by a fellow forumnite - Derreck) for a parang nabur. Hope Derreck does not mind me attaching the picture for discussion purpose. I noticed that the D-guard in the picture is attached to a white brass nail that seemed to be hammered into the pommel. My parang nabur's hilt had no traces of such a nail insertion. Is it that not all D-guards for parang nabur ends up being nailed to the pommel? Attached Images

28th May 2006, 02:13 PM	#7
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	NO not al see pic there are much types but to me it looks like the handle is not the original it maybe a replace handle Attached Images

28th May 2006, 03:13 AM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hey Shahrial, don't worry about it. Our 2 cents do not devalue; they contribute to better understanding. I agree with the opinion that this piece is a parang nabur with an unusual blade form. I read in Zonneveld's book that not all parang nabur has the D-guard, but in this case, the D-guard and quillon was probably sawed off at some point in time. However, I thought it sort of improved the 'aesthetics' of the blade when it is unsheathed -- the hilt flowed more smoothly into the blade. I do recognize that it does look a bit funny in its sheath, with the wood on the scabbard mouth showing. The straight blades in Zonneveld's book, and that in Dajak's collection actually has a bit of convexity to the cutting edge. This example of mine is completely straight. Could it be case of this blade being 'salvaged' from another sword-type? Does anyone recognize this blade form in other types of Kalimantan or Malay swords? One last thing - anyone knows of skilled Kalimantan craftsmen who can do a good job with the D-guard and quillon?

28th May 2006, 04:21 AM	#4
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	That sounds plausible, because after all, Kalimantan is very close to the Philippines. Whoa, the more we dig, the more information surfaces. David - was that why you mentioned this sword could be called a 'sundang'?

28th May 2006, 07:40 AM	#5
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	The blade form is like an mandau the straight one that I have has even an krowit like the Jimpul