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Originally Posted by Royston
Back home at last and here are some more photos.
If the end has been shortened it has been done well as there is a slight " step" still visible.
Is it possible that the blade was fixed to the hilt in the usual manor and someone in the past has cleaned off all the extra gum ?
Roy
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Hi Roy, Welcome home!
Yes it's done very well, but I stick with my first impression it had been shortened once because one of another reason, but a long, long time ago.
About the fixed hilt: Usually the handle had a big round hole.
They heated up the "kemalau" / "getah percha" which is a kind of resin.
When it was getting fluid, they filled the big hole in the handle with it.
Thereafter they sticked the tang of the blade firmly into the (still fluid) resin.
After hardening, this substance causes a firm connection between the blade and the handle.
The hilt than was wrapped with ratan fiber or metal wire (brass/silver).
The transition between hilt and blade usually was accomodated with a resin ring (sometimes also made from horn, silver or brass instead of resin).
Never have seen it from wood, till now......
Can you have a look if you can see this piece of wood at the transition is a loose part, or is it carved in one piece with the handle?
Maurice