Two Very Interesting and Unusual Swords From Sumatra

CharlesS · 18th May 2011, 06:31 PM

I found these two pieces recently. I am attributing them both to Sumatra, though the larger one could have come from any number of places in the Indonesian archipelago, possibly. The other, with the 'long nose' pommel and guard is very specific to one region in Sumatra, but I cannot remember where....hoping VVV can help on this one.

So, what's unique, unusual, or "wierd" about them?? The larger one is huge for starters, far larger than most Sumatran parangs at 37in. overall, with a blade of 29.5in. The hilt is superb, but the eye catcher here is the likely 19th century German made blade....identical in basic style to what one would expect on a Sudanese kaskara!!! My first thoughts were that this was trade blade cut down to meet Sumatran style and specifications, but after having a sword expert(and forum member) have a look at the blade, he was convinced there was no evidence that this was ever "cut down", and he believed was manufactured in this manner for trade to Indonesian markets. I cannot vouch for that, but one thing is certain....trade was certainly involved and that's what I find so interesting.

The smaller one is more typical in size to a standard Sumatran parang. The hilt is unique in that I believe normally the elongated "nose" is not carved so profusely. I believe the blade's pamor is a somewhat rare "death shroud" pattern. Again, I am looking for a more specific attribution for this one.

Comments and input are welcomed!

ronpakis · 18th May 2011, 06:48 PM

acc to royal tropical institute in the netherlands.

gr Ron

Rick · 18th May 2011, 06:54 PM

The longer one reminds me of a Kirach blade .
Really elegant carving and silverwork on the small one; that pamor has other less dire interpretations .

Rick

katana · 18th May 2011, 07:02 PM

Charles the export blade is indeed interesting ....is it double edged ? or perhaps profiled to be originally double edged but only sharpened on one ? I assume that the blade is unmarked. Perhaps dimensions of the thickness and width of the blade might allow direct comparison to tri-fullered Kaskara / Tabouka.

All the best

David

CharlesS · 18th May 2011, 08:20 PM

David,

The blade is just over 1.5in. wide at the hilt, and 3/16 of an inch thick hilt. The blade is, indeed, single edged -and razor sharp- until about 10 inches before the tip. There the last 10 inches of the spine are as sharp as the bottom edge, creating what I suppose we can call a false edge. I think that would allow one to argue that is was "made that way", of course that is not an absolute either.

Rick,

This blade profile on the larger one is a common one throughout the region, but especially in Sumatra. There are many variations of the tip, that is, variations as to where the downturn begins at the end of the blade. That one does have an elongated and elegant downturn, quite a bit like a kirach. Notice that both of these are very much alike in profile at first glance, but then the downturned spine is actually quite different on the two.

Please tell me more about this pamor...three people have seen it and instantly identified it as "death shroud"...would love to know more...

VVV · 18th May 2011, 08:31 PM

Fantastic!!!

I have never seen the Palembang nose parang with either floral carving or a pamor blade before. Yours is also unusual based on the blade shape which on all other parang I have seen has been more resembling a wakizashi (see pict).
Except Palembang I have also seen it attributed to Benkulen/Bengkulu so I assume it was spread in that region. Several years ago I saw it listed as a "Pelitai".
Here is a reference picture from Tropen of a Rawas-chief from Palembang.

Michael

CharlesS · 18th May 2011, 11:46 PM

Thanks VVV...knew I could count on you!

Wasn't there a thread on these before...I looked for one but could not find it.

18th May 2011, 06:31 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Two Very Interesting and Unusual Swords From Sumatra I found these two pieces recently. I am attributing them both to Sumatra, though the larger one could have come from any number of places in the Indonesian archipelago, possibly. The other, with the 'long nose' pommel and guard is very specific to one region in Sumatra, but I cannot remember where....hoping VVV can help on this one. So, what's unique, unusual, or "wierd" about them?? The larger one is huge for starters, far larger than most Sumatran parangs at 37in. overall, with a blade of 29.5in. The hilt is superb, but the eye catcher here is the likely 19th century German made blade....identical in basic style to what one would expect on a Sudanese kaskara!!! My first thoughts were that this was trade blade cut down to meet Sumatran style and specifications, but after having a sword expert(and forum member) have a look at the blade, he was convinced there was no evidence that this was ever "cut down", and he believed was manufactured in this manner for trade to Indonesian markets. I cannot vouch for that, but one thing is certain....trade was certainly involved and that's what I find so interesting. The smaller one is more typical in size to a standard Sumatran parang. The hilt is unique in that I believe normally the elongated "nose" is not carved so profusely. I believe the blade's pamor is a somewhat rare "death shroud" pattern. Again, I am looking for a more specific attribution for this one. Comments and input are welcomed! Attached Images

18th May 2011, 06:48 PM	#2
ronpakis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: netherlands Posts: 75	possibly palembang acc to royal tropical institute in the netherlands. gr Ron Last edited by ronpakis; 18th May 2011 at 07:31 PM.

18th May 2011, 08:31 PM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Fantastic!!! I have never seen the Palembang nose parang with either floral carving or a pamor blade before. Yours is also unusual based on the blade shape which on all other parang I have seen has been more resembling a wakizashi (see pict). Except Palembang I have also seen it attributed to Benkulen/Bengkulu so I assume it was spread in that region. Several years ago I saw it listed as a "Pelitai". Here is a reference picture from Tropen of a Rawas-chief from Palembang. Michael Attached Images

18th May 2011, 06:54 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	The longer one reminds me of a Kirach blade . Really elegant carving and silverwork on the small one; that pamor has other less dire interpretations . Rick

18th May 2011, 07:02 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Charles the export blade is indeed interesting ....is it double edged ? or perhaps profiled to be originally double edged but only sharpened on one ? I assume that the blade is unmarked. Perhaps dimensions of the thickness and width of the blade might allow direct comparison to tri-fullered Kaskara / Tabouka. All the best David

18th May 2011, 08:20 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	David, The blade is just over 1.5in. wide at the hilt, and 3/16 of an inch thick hilt. The blade is, indeed, single edged -and razor sharp- until about 10 inches before the tip. There the last 10 inches of the spine are as sharp as the bottom edge, creating what I suppose we can call a false edge. I think that would allow one to argue that is was "made that way", of course that is not an absolute either. Rick, This blade profile on the larger one is a common one throughout the region, but especially in Sumatra. There are many variations of the tip, that is, variations as to where the downturn begins at the end of the blade. That one does have an elongated and elegant downturn, quite a bit like a kirach. Notice that both of these are very much alike in profile at first glance, but then the downturned spine is actually quite different on the two. Please tell me more about this pamor...three people have seen it and instantly identified it as "death shroud"...would love to know more...

18th May 2011, 11:46 PM	#7
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Thanks VVV...knew I could count on you! Wasn't there a thread on these before...I looked for one but could not find it.