Indonesian? Short Sword for Comment

RobT · 5th March 2022, 04:18 PM

Hi All,

Given the look of the Damascus and the blade profile, I believe that the blade is Indonesian but to me, the hilt looks more Philippine (and more recent). The mostly single edge blade measures about 16.5" (about 42cm) long with the last 6.5" (16.5cm) double edged. The hilt ferrule is steel and oddly shaped. Even under magnification, I can't find a seam so I imagine that it was originally a pipe that was forged to shape. The sheath is ill fitting and probably not original to the blade. The cavity inside the sheath is cut to fit a very straight, double edged blade. While the sheath itself looks Indonesian, the two remaining steel bands have joins that that I have seen Philippine sheaths.

Sincerely,
RobT

David · 5th March 2022, 04:30 PM

Looks like this is a pedang suduk maru. I can't really see the hilt very clearly in your photos. Might be Sumatran or possibly Javanese.

kai · 5th March 2022, 10:20 PM

Yes, I'm with David - more pics from the hilt (all sides)!

A. G. Maisey · 5th March 2022, 10:26 PM

Yep, Jawa.

RobT · 6th March 2022, 04:48 AM

David, kai, A. G. Maisey,

Thanks for the ID. I will post more shots of the hilt tomorrow. From what I saw online, there is a common form which includes a cross guard but there are a good number of specimens which don't have a cross guard and have variously shaped hilts. However, none of the hilts I saw were short and chunky like mine so I will really be interested in your comments when I post more detailed shots of the hilt and ferrule that came with my blade. One thing is for sure, looking at the online pictures of the various sheaths shows that the sheath I have doesn't belong with the blade.

Sincerely,
RobT

A. G. Maisey · 6th March 2022, 05:44 AM

Actually Rob, I'd be quite happy to accept the scabbard as acceptable for this pedang.

This is very humble pedang, and a plain, simple scabbard such as this pedang has is quite in order. Even if the scabbard was not made for this blade in the first place, it is still in my opinion 100% OK for it.

5th March 2022, 04:18 PM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 493	Indonesian? Short Sword for Comment Hi All, Given the look of the Damascus and the blade profile, I believe that the blade is Indonesian but to me, the hilt looks more Philippine (and more recent). The mostly single edge blade measures about 16.5" (about 42cm) long with the last 6.5" (16.5cm) double edged. The hilt ferrule is steel and oddly shaped. Even under magnification, I can't find a seam so I imagine that it was originally a pipe that was forged to shape. The sheath is ill fitting and probably not original to the blade. The cavity inside the sheath is cut to fit a very straight, double edged blade. While the sheath itself looks Indonesian, the two remaining steel bands have joins that that I have seen Philippine sheaths. Sincerely, RobT Attached Images

6th March 2022, 04:48 AM	#5
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 493	ID Thanks & More Hilt Pics To Come David, kai, A. G. Maisey, Thanks for the ID. I will post more shots of the hilt tomorrow. From what I saw online, there is a common form which includes a cross guard but there are a good number of specimens which don't have a cross guard and have variously shaped hilts. However, none of the hilts I saw were short and chunky like mine so I will really be interested in your comments when I post more detailed shots of the hilt and ferrule that came with my blade. One thing is for sure, looking at the online pictures of the various sheaths shows that the sheath I have doesn't belong with the blade. Sincerely, RobT

5th March 2022, 04:30 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,124	Looks like this is a pedang suduk maru. I can't really see the hilt very clearly in your photos. Might be Sumatran or possibly Javanese.

5th March 2022, 10:20 PM	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Yes, I'm with David - more pics from the hilt (all sides)!

5th March 2022, 10:26 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,893	Yep, Jawa.

6th March 2022, 05:44 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,893	Actually Rob, I'd be quite happy to accept the scabbard as acceptable for this pedang. This is very humble pedang, and a plain, simple scabbard such as this pedang has is quite in order. Even if the scabbard was not made for this blade in the first place, it is still in my opinion 100% OK for it.