Timor sword questions

JeffS · 28th October 2024, 04:39 AM

This just came in, I havent cleaned it yet. This is the second sword from that region I have with an 18th century date stamped, the previous (not shown) also has a VOC mark.
This one has a mark that looks like it may be intended to be a running animal. The year is upside down relative to the mark and blade orientation on one side. The year and mark is framed with two x marks. A few initial questions.
1. Does anyone recognize the western blade? Not much to go off of since it has been shortened and modified. Could it really be 1748?
2. Does anyone recognize the line drawing, is it a running animal?
3. The scabbard has a thick rawhide sleeve on the lower half of scabbard that terminates with a tube (something tubular is inserted there under the rawhide). Has anyone seen this rawhide treatment before? Any reason to not try to steam and straighten the bend?

Sajen · 28th October 2024, 07:27 PM

Hi Jeff,

Nice Timor sword "type c", followed the description from Albert. I can't help with the blade but I know that it shows a "running wolf", an old Solingen mark.
I would try to ask in the European section about the blade, I guess that you will get more response over there.
Attached are my Timor swords type c.

Regards,
Detlef

Maurice · 28th October 2024, 09:51 PM

Hi,

These blades were stamped 'trade blades' from the VOC, and low quality iron bought for instance in Japan.
The VOC stamped these low quality trade blades with a VOC stamp, chamber and date, to raise the value of their tradeware or because the VOC marks were expected on the blades by the Timorese traders.
The VOC members themselves had high quality blades, without VOC stamps, made and bought in Solingen (Germany).

Regards,
Maurice

28th October 2024, 04:39 AM	#1
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 340	Timor sword questions This just came in, I havent cleaned it yet. This is the second sword from that region I have with an 18th century date stamped, the previous (not shown) also has a VOC mark. This one has a mark that looks like it may be intended to be a running animal. The year is upside down relative to the mark and blade orientation on one side. The year and mark is framed with two x marks. A few initial questions. 1. Does anyone recognize the western blade? Not much to go off of since it has been shortened and modified. Could it really be 1748? 2. Does anyone recognize the line drawing, is it a running animal? 3. The scabbard has a thick rawhide sleeve on the lower half of scabbard that terminates with a tube (something tubular is inserted there under the rawhide). Has anyone seen this rawhide treatment before? Any reason to not try to steam and straighten the bend? Attached Images

28th October 2024, 07:27 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,766	Hi Jeff, Nice Timor sword "type c", followed the description from Albert. I can't help with the blade but I know that it shows a "running wolf", an old Solingen mark. I would try to ask in the European section about the blade, I guess that you will get more response over there. Attached are my Timor swords type c. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

28th October 2024, 09:51 PM	#3
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,334	Hi, These blades were stamped 'trade blades' from the VOC, and low quality iron bought for instance in Japan. The VOC stamped these low quality trade blades with a VOC stamp, chamber and date, to raise the value of their tradeware or because the VOC marks were expected on the blades by the Timorese traders. The VOC members themselves had high quality blades, without VOC stamps, made and bought in Solingen (Germany). Regards, Maurice Attached Images