Old Indonesian (?) mystery sword

Ian · 4th January 2018, 10:47 PM

This one is a bit of a mystery.

A short sword with a blade that seems to have some age--pre-WWII I think--and appears to have been sharpened and used quite a bit. The blade is spear-shaped, with some gradual widening from hilt to tip before tapering to a central point. The back edge is sharpened along its distal half. Both the regular edge and the sharpened part of the back edge have a V-grind.

The hilt has a nicely carved pommel that I am having trouble identifying (hopefully someone here will recognize it). There are actually two ferrules on the hilt, a large brass one that partially overlies a smaller one.

The sword came with a nondescript wooden sheath in two pieces held together at the moment with elastic bands.

Thanks for your thoughts on this one, I would appreciate some help in identifying it.

Ian.

Dimensions of sword

OAL = 23 inches
Length of blade = 18.5 inches

.

Henk · 5th January 2018, 08:53 AM

My first thought is a european blade. Maybe broken and reworked into a klewang or pedang.
Nice find.

Athanase · 5th January 2018, 10:59 AM

For me it's possibly an old klewang blade that has been resized (to change the shape).
The handle is also very old and very worn, but it was modified at its base (because broken?) At the time the sword was mounted in its current state.
I have the impression that it is an old klewang that has been restored and modified in a more European way in the first half of the 20th century.

mariusgmioc · 5th January 2018, 01:32 PM

I agree with Henk, as it appears to be a European blade reworked, or at least made from European monosteel.

Regards,

Marius

Kubur · 5th January 2018, 01:41 PM

For me
it's a Mandau dayak with Pedang hilt

Athanase · 5th January 2018, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

I agree with Henk, as it appears to be a European blade reworked, or at least made from European monosteel.

Regards,

Marius

I had seen lamination on the blade, but maybe it's just my imagination.

Sajen · 5th January 2018, 03:51 PM

Hi Ian,

I am with Séverin (Athanase) on this one. But it could be that the blade shape is original. This you can proof by a polish and etch since I think as well that the blade is laminated (sorry Marius), I've seen many unusual blade shapes by pedangs. It's for sure not a mandau blade (not concave/convex). Pommel is most probably carved from horn and can be called makara, maybe a little bit reshaped at the top.

Regards,
Detlef

4th January 2018, 10:47 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Old Indonesian (?) mystery sword This one is a bit of a mystery. A short sword with a blade that seems to have some age--pre-WWII I think--and appears to have been sharpened and used quite a bit. The blade is spear-shaped, with some gradual widening from hilt to tip before tapering to a central point. The back edge is sharpened along its distal half. Both the regular edge and the sharpened part of the back edge have a V-grind. The hilt has a nicely carved pommel that I am having trouble identifying (hopefully someone here will recognize it). There are actually two ferrules on the hilt, a large brass one that partially overlies a smaller one. The sword came with a nondescript wooden sheath in two pieces held together at the moment with elastic bands. Thanks for your thoughts on this one, I would appreciate some help in identifying it. Ian. Dimensions of sword OAL = 23 inches Length of blade = 18.5 inches . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 5th January 2018 at 04:25 AM. Reason: Added dimensions

5th January 2018, 08:53 AM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	My first thought is a european blade. Maybe broken and reworked into a klewang or pedang. Nice find.

5th January 2018, 10:59 AM	#3
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 417	For me it's possibly an old klewang blade that has been resized (to change the shape). The handle is also very old and very worn, but it was modified at its base (because broken?) At the time the sword was mounted in its current state. I have the impression that it is an old klewang that has been restored and modified in a more European way in the first half of the 20th century.

5th January 2018, 01:32 PM	#4
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,906	I agree with Henk, as it appears to be a European blade reworked, or at least made from European monosteel. Regards, Marius

5th January 2018, 01:41 PM	#5
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	For me it's a Mandau dayak with Pedang hilt

5th January 2018, 03:51 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Hi Ian, I am with Séverin (Athanase) on this one. But it could be that the blade shape is original. This you can proof by a polish and etch since I think as well that the blade is laminated (sorry Marius), I've seen many unusual blade shapes by pedangs. It's for sure not a mandau blade (not concave/convex). Pommel is most probably carved from horn and can be called makara, maybe a little bit reshaped at the top. Regards, Detlef