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#1 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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Just picked this up and now would like to know what it is.
![]() Robert Last edited by Robert Coleman; 7th December 2006 at 03:36 AM. |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,637
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Robert,
It's a sword from West Sumba. For some reason they seem to be more rare than the Kabeala of East Sumba. When I was in Sumba, in the early 90's, at the country side people still carried the Kabeala as an everyday blade. But for your blade I don't think it was for everyday use? I never saw anybody carry them anyway. What I found interesting there was that only the undressed blades were sold at the market place, no complete swords. Please post better pictures when you recieve it. Michael |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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Never seen one before like this, thank you for sharing.
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#4 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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Well the sword arrived today and apparently the previous owner polished all the brass and copper fittings and then applied a coat of polyurethane to keep them from tarnishing. Now I have to figure out how to remove it without causing any damage to the rest of the wood. I have not been able to find any information other than what VVV has already offered. I am hoping that the good people of the forum will help me with further information on this item.
Blade length is 19-1/8" Blade at widest point 1-7/16" Blade at hilt 15/16" Blade thickness at hilt 1/4" Hilt length 5-1/16" Scabbard length 25-1/16" Robert |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
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Robert,
I have only seen one like this before (in Leiden). It looks like the real thing and a very good one too. If you ever get tired of it please let me know ![]() Can't find my source at the moment but it's probably for ceremonial use. In West Sumba, unlike East Sumba, they like to show their wealth more open in public. Michael |
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#6 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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#7 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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Michael and Jose,
Thank you both very much for your help and opinions on this sword. As it appears that no one else is interested in this would either one of you like to hazard a guess on the age of this item? Thanks again for all your help. Michael, if I decide not to keep this I will let you know. Robert |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,773
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I have pieces that were covered in polyurethane varnish. As long as they have not been painted with oil based paints which your item has not. A commercial varnish remover is okay. Any original organic lacquer should be okay but I would not let the stuff stay on too long on stain wood and the like. I have removed varnish from old blades and the patina of the blade prior to varnishing has always been there.
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#9 |
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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Tim, thank you for the advice on the removal of the coating. I think at this point in time that I will leave it "as is" until I get more information on its age and history. Thank you all again for helping me with this.
![]() Robert |
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#10 |
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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OK, here are my next questions. What does anyone think went into the grooves on the scabbard, woven rattan bands or do you think that they are they just there as decoration? I also have some brass sheeting the same thickness as used for the clover shaped decorations on the hilt. Would it be a good idea to replace the missing and broken ones or just leave them as they are?
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#11 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
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I don't think they used rattan on Sumba.
It's some other fiber material at f.i. the scabbards of the Kabeala of East Sumba. Michael PS PM your mail if you want reference pictures. |
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#12 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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VVV, I have sent a PM to you with my with e-mail address. Thank you for your offer of pictures as they would really help. You used f.i. in your reply and I hate to admit that I do not understand what that means.
![]() Robert |
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