Indonesian? Short Sword for Comment

[RobT]

naturalist,

Given the shape on the bottom of the pommel of my hilt, your ID of ceker kidang is tempting but there is one thing that must be noted. There a good many online examples of swords with ceker kidang hilts and, in virtually every example, the back of the hilt curves smoothly down to the pommel. The only exceptions I could find were newly made (very late 20th to 21st century). While my hilt may not be original to the blade, it does have some age and those less traditionally shaped new hilts don't look like mine either. It must be asked then, why would someone making a replacement handle for himself go against a culturally accepted norm? Especially since the traditional shape would be easier to make.

Sincerely,
RobT