An Interesting Chopper....But From Where??
 

I just picked up this curious chopper. It's very heavy, sits in a stand-up scabbard, mostly exposed, and has a beautifully carved wooden hilt with a heavy brass ferrule.. It is 23in. overall, with an 18in. blade that is rather crudely forged and 3in. wide at its widest point.

When I first saw this one in pics, I thought it might be Indonesian. But having now seen and handled it, with particular reference to the hilt that shares some features that seem similar to some kukri hilts, I am more inclined to think it is a sacrificial chopper from NE India or Nepal.

I am certainly still open to any ideas, and look forward to any insights and feedback.

Please have a look and let me know what you think.

Hi Charles,

don't know from where it is, but it is beautiful! :) Malaysia?

Regards,

Detlef

Not exactly my field BUT..............the pommel looks like a Lotus so could be either SE Asian OR India/Nepal/Tibet. I would think most likely from a Buddhist country. A most unusual and lovely piece. Well done!
Stu

Something about that scabbard recalls to my eye some of the more stylized lantaka stands. That, combined with the pommel (again to my untrained eye) appear to be Indonesian. :shrug:

ETA: I really like the profile of that blade... very appealing to the eye. :)

I lean more toward Southeast Asian/Malay than India . :shrug:
The sprouting hilt motif is quite Indonesian, IMO .





I could even be talked into suggesting Sumatra . :o

Wow, love it when something turns up most haven't seen! Beautiful piece! Thanks for sharing Charles!

Interesting chopper.
Sumatra (like Rick said) and after WWII IMHO.

Michael

Michael,

I think this is some sort of tool chopper(perhaps sacrificial). It seems rather awkward as a weapon, especially the weight by Indonesian standards. The lack of quality of the blade, other than thickness, seems to add confirmation to that, and I can't imagine that it is more then 70 or so years old, but clearly has seen heavy use.

Can you post something from your collection with a similar style hilt for reference? Thanks in advance.

Sumatran

Hi Charles,

I don't have anything exactly resembling but besides the hilt the open and curved scabbard is a tell for Sumatra too.

Michael

PS Here is the closest I could find but I have seen more resembling scabbards to yours at for instance a well-known SE Asian dealer's web site.

I am very familiar with the Sumatran hilts that Rick has posted(and thanks!),
but structurally, doesn't this kukri hilt have as much or more in common with the chopper hilt???

I do see alot more similarities with VVV's examples.

It is Sumatran as already said. This style of hilt is found on keris panjang.
Take a look at this thread. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...xecution+keris

I think it comes down to the bifurcated appearance of the Sumatran examples that have been shown .
when I look at the handle of your chopper I see a sprouting foliage/vegetable motif .
When I look at the kukri hilt you show, I do not see that resemblance; I see rings concavely tapered into each other .

Then there is the hilt material itself; Sandalwood ?
Very light colored for Kukri Country . :shrug: :)

Thanks for the pics and input guys!

It's a good looking piece Charles.
The 'sprouting flower' type hilt seems to be widely used.