A gobang with VOC blade

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by ariel

This sword was relished. The original listing had the missing piece of the handle, broken off but present and , AFAIK, the break was clean. Seemed to be a simple thing to reglue.
Have no idea what happened to it eventually, but you might ask the seller.

Hello Ariel,

great information! Thank you.

Detlef

[Rick]

The dress of this sword (to me) has a sort of Tjikeroeh look to it.
Do we think it is a European blade, or native manufacture?

[asomotif]

Hello Detlef,

Is the blade dated on both sides ?

Best regards,
Willem

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Hello Detlef,

Is the blade dated on both sides ?

Best regards,
Willem

Hello Willem,

seems like this when you look the pictures. I don't have it in hand until now. You can tell me why you ask? Good sign?

Best regards,
Detlef

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Willem,

seems like this when you look the pictures. I don't have it in hand until now. You can tell me why you ask? Good sign?

Best regards,
Detlef

Hello Detlef,

I thought that most blades where only marked on one side.
But I am not sure if that is any indication.

I do have my doubts though about the curvature of the blade , the broadness of the fuller and the marking in general.
The strange "7",
the zero is not round or oval in a regular way.

Just my 2 cents. I only handled a handfull of VOC blades.
Maybe you can check with Cornelis Tromp ?

Best regards,
Willem

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Maybe you can check with Cornelis Tromp ?

Hello Willem,

thank you for your thoughts about this sword, I know nearly nothing about VOC blades and their markings.

Will contact Cornelis Tromp by pm to bring his attention to this thread.

Best regards,
Detlef

[Jim McDougall]

I cannot say a great deal on the style and period of mounts here, but in my view the blade is probably a reprofiled Solingen saber or hanger item from about mid 18th. As far as I have known the VOC swords were often made in Solingen on some Dutch centers which had German smiths. While the well known VOC examples were typically dated, had the VOC symbol and typically the letter for which of the kamers (chambers) this was allotted to.
There were I think 6, A=Amsterdam; D=Delft etc and the M I think was Middleburg (?).
These letters on this blade are scribed in, IN THE MANNER OF the VOC style of marking, but I would say locally added. The lettering in not in accord with the character of most of these blades, and one side in upside down.

I have understood swords of VOC were not 'issued' but private purchase by the individuals in the employ or otherwise in the service of the company.
These seem to have often been traded or sold into native context, and not really imported to them for use.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Rick

The dress of this sword (to me) has a sort of Tjikeroeh look to it.
Do we think it is a European blade, or native manufacture?

Hello Rick,

both swords are from West Java, Sunda, so you see with basement some resemblance. But this are two different region of West Java.

To answer your question, I don't know, I need to look and touch the blade to get an idea. But from the seller pictures I tend to think that it is a local blade (with lamination) maybe worked for a Dutch? But this is just my guess.

Best regards,
Detlef