Indonesian Yataghan?

[kronckew]

Just 'won' this online, billed as a
"Sword - Brass, Buffalo horn, Iron, Leather - Tjikeroeh Cikeruh style - Indonesia
1st half 20th century ", arriving from France in due course.

LOA is 66cm. (26in.); Scabbard is a bit poorly.

Not too sure about the Tjikeroeh provenance. may have markings I can trace when it arrives. Haven't seen a recurved sosun pattah/yataghan one like this yet. If anyone has any info, I thank you in advance for sharing it.

[Ian]

Hi Wayne,

There's a possibility this one could be from the Philippines (Central/Northern Luzon). Examples of similar recurved blades can be found there, and the full tang hilt with brass ferrules, small brass guard, and a leather scabbard with brass throat are all consistent with that area of Luzon.

If there is a tooled design on the leather scabbard, then it would more likely be Filipino than Indonesian. Otherwise, I think your Tjikeroeh attribution is probably correct. Very unusual blade for that part of Indonesia. Most of the W. Javan Tjikeroeh pieces of European design date from the first quarter of the 20th C, but I have not seen one with such a recurved blade before.

Ian

[Rick]

I'm doubtful that this is a Sundanese (Tjikeroeh) blade. There is no decoration on the blade we're looking at here and the forging quality finesse usually seen on blades marked Tjikeroeh is absent.

[Tim Simmons]

I wonder if this is Nepalese or there abouts ? The military scabbard is confusing as the knife/ short sword looks not military issue?

[kronckew]

Thanks, all. It's on its way, hopefully Customs won't seize it & It'll get here in a week or so. I'll take s few better pics and measurements. Vendor says it weighs 770 grams/1.7 lb) - I'm assuming that is in the scabbard.

[Sajen]

Hello Wayne,

The scabbard mouth from brass is typical Tjikeroeh/Sundanese but like others stated before, the recurved blade form is a little bit confusing. Interesting sword! Not all Tjikeroeh blades are decorated, many coming just plain.

Regards,
Detlef