Sundang for comment

drac2k · 9th December 2016, 09:22 PM

I just picked up this interesting Sundang.It is fairly large as the blade measures 24.75" and the ganja measures 5.75. " It does have a sharp luk and I do not believe the ganja to be separate from blade even though, it has been made to appear so.
I would guess the age of the sword to be 1900 to pre-WW2.The real clue is in the faded inscription which reads "Ebwarb Clinton,-----C.G. 27, Inf.Manila P.I.," or so it looks to me.
Also, I haven't ever gotten a definitive answer to pieces of cloth attached to these swords;was it purely talismanic, was it to secure a better grip like a European sword lanyard, would the swirling swatch be used to confuse an adversary, or was it a sign of rank.

Battara · 10th December 2016, 02:18 PM

I would say a few things:

1. This is a Maranao kris.

2. The cloth served as both talismanic (blessed by an imam) and for wrapping the hand.

3. In the old days, to wear red meant that you had killed enemies in battle.

4. I might date this to the 1910s

5. Etch the blade. This can tell us even more.

6. Looks like an American soldier had polished this nice and bright (unfortunately). Again a good etch would bring it back to form.

7. It does look like a separate ganga by the pictures. Maybe close ups would help.

drac2k · 10th December 2016, 02:46 PM

Battara, your replies for 1 through 4 answered all my questions.In regards to #5 ,I've decided that I don't want to etch my blades, as I don't know what I'm doing and it is not that important to me (sour grapes ?).On number six, I plead guilty;when I get a new blade, I clean it with Wenol Silver Polish to remove all of the grit and surface rust and then I seal it with bowling alley wax.On number 7, I will try to post a better picture.
Thanks for the information !

Sajen · 10th December 2016, 02:58 PM

Hello Drac2k,

I would agree with Jose in nearly all points. I also would place this nice warrior piece by the turn of the centuries. That you have polished the blade bring out only the original grinding finish from the blade. Great that this blade is still in such good condition. But agree with Jose that this blade need a good etch, again, you can't make something wrong when you etch it with vinegar, it would be a shame don't to etch this nice piece. Very nice with the mansala in a very good condition. Very nice piece, congrats!

Regards,
Detlef

drac2k · 10th December 2016, 03:54 PM

Thanks Detlef for the kind comments ; on the vinegar etch, maybe someday.

drac2k · 10th December 2016, 05:07 PM

Here are some better pictures of the ganja.

kai · 10th December 2016, 06:34 PM

Yup, definitely a separate gangya!

I'd also believe this Moro kris to be first quarter of the 20th century or even a bit younger. Interesting arrangement of fullers at the base!

Regards,
Kai

Ian · 11th December 2016, 05:14 AM

Agree with many of the comments so far, particularly with respect to an etching.

Drac, the nice thing about light etching with vinegar is that you can erase a mistake very easily by simply doing a fine polish to bring the blade back to bright metal. In fact, that is really the only way to learn about etching blades--it is somewhat trial and error, and a lot of experimentation. Because you never know quite what you have until you look, there really is no perfect procedure to follow that will produce an excellent result in all cases.

Take a crack at it, and you may be surprised by what you find.

Ian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

Thanks Detlef for the kind comments ; on the vinegar etch, maybe someday.

drac2k · 11th December 2016, 03:38 PM

Now I am about to show my ignorance ; would the original owner of a sundang or a barong (not a kris ), etch his blade , especially a fighting sword?
I suppose, my first etch, will be like learning to swim; you just have to jump in...........wait was that big dark shadow I see, is that a fin ?!?

9th December 2016, 09:22 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Sundang for comment I just picked up this interesting Sundang.It is fairly large as the blade measures 24.75" and the ganja measures 5.75. " It does have a sharp luk and I do not believe the ganja to be separate from blade even though, it has been made to appear so. I would guess the age of the sword to be 1900 to pre-WW2.The real clue is in the faded inscription which reads "Ebwarb Clinton,-----C.G. 27, Inf.Manila P.I.," or so it looks to me. Also, I haven't ever gotten a definitive answer to pieces of cloth attached to these swords;was it purely talismanic, was it to secure a better grip like a European sword lanyard, would the swirling swatch be used to confuse an adversary, or was it a sign of rank. Attached Images

10th December 2016, 05:07 PM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Here are some better pictures of the ganja. Attached Images

10th December 2016, 02:18 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I would say a few things: 1. This is a Maranao kris. 2. The cloth served as both talismanic (blessed by an imam) and for wrapping the hand. 3. In the old days, to wear red meant that you had killed enemies in battle. 4. I might date this to the 1910s 5. Etch the blade. This can tell us even more. 6. Looks like an American soldier had polished this nice and bright (unfortunately). Again a good etch would bring it back to form. 7. It does look like a separate ganga by the pictures. Maybe close ups would help.

10th December 2016, 02:46 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Battara, your replies for 1 through 4 answered all my questions.In regards to #5 ,I've decided that I don't want to etch my blades, as I don't know what I'm doing and it is not that important to me (sour grapes ?).On number six, I plead guilty;when I get a new blade, I clean it with Wenol Silver Polish to remove all of the grit and surface rust and then I seal it with bowling alley wax.On number 7, I will try to post a better picture. Thanks for the information !

10th December 2016, 02:58 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,769	Hello Drac2k, I would agree with Jose in nearly all points. I also would place this nice warrior piece by the turn of the centuries. That you have polished the blade bring out only the original grinding finish from the blade. Great that this blade is still in such good condition. But agree with Jose that this blade need a good etch, again, you can't make something wrong when you etch it with vinegar, it would be a shame don't to etch this nice piece. Very nice with the mansala in a very good condition. Very nice piece, congrats! Regards, Detlef

10th December 2016, 03:54 PM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Thanks Detlef for the kind comments ; on the vinegar etch, maybe someday.

10th December 2016, 06:34 PM	#7
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Yup, definitely a separate gangya! I'd also believe this Moro kris to be first quarter of the 20th century or even a bit younger. Interesting arrangement of fullers at the base! Regards, Kai

11th December 2016, 03:38 PM	#9
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Now I am about to show my ignorance ; would the original owner of a sundang or a barong (not a kris ), etch his blade , especially a fighting sword? I suppose, my first etch, will be like learning to swim; you just have to jump in...........wait was that big dark shadow I see, is that a fin ?!?