Nias sword with brass handle for sharing and discussion

[kai]

Congrats, Detlef, a very nice sword!

The hilt does look legit: While age is often easier to fake with metal pieces, this looks good to me; I'd estimate it and the blade as being antique, indeed. Scabbard is a later replacement (post WWII) as shown by carving quality and materials.

These more slender swords were either worn as EDC single blade/tool or as a secondary sword behind the main/heavier sword (akin to samurai usage). For all Nias blades, their stylistic details including names and local attribution need much more research as already indicated.

BTW, most extant Nias swords with balls originate from the post-headhunting days. Dutch and German missionaries were very active on Nias in eradicating old traditions during the 19th century (first in the North, later in the South); most Nias blades on the market are from the second half of the 20th century; older examples usually originate from the late colonial period (roughly turn of the century up to WWII). As with all Indonesian blades, most older pieces do originate from Dutch or British colonial sources and hardly anything can be inferred from the current owners place of living.

Regards,
Kai

[Bob A]

A fascinating sword, for sure. Congratulations on an interesting, even exotic, find.

I don't recall any other examples of swords from the area with brass hilts . . . if others here have links to such swords, I'd be delighted to see and learn more about the subject.

[kai]

Hello Bob,

I don't recall any other examples of swords from the area with brass hilts

Brass hilts are much more common with the smaller Nias blades, especially the Si Euli. Detlef's piece has a fairly slender hilt.

Larger hilts get really heavy and result in non-functional swords. I'd guess that the one in the linked thread is too heavy and messes up the sword's balance.

Regards,
Kai

[Bob A]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Bob,


Brass hilts are much more common with the smaller Nias blades, especially the Si Euli. Detlef's piece has a fairly slender hilt.

Larger hilts get really heavy and result in non-functional swords. I'd guess that the one in the linked thread is too heavy and messes up the sword's balance.

Regards,
Kai

Thank you!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

Congrats, Detlef, a very nice sword!

The hilt does look legit: While age is often easier to fake with metal pieces, this looks good to me; I'd estimate it and the blade as being antique, indeed. Scabbard is a later replacement (post WWII) as shown by carving quality and materials.

These more slender swords were either worn as EDC single blade/tool or as a secondary sword behind the main/heavier sword (akin to samurai usage). For all Nias blades, their stylistic details including names and local attribution need much more research as already indicated.

Hello Kai,

Thank you! I agree with your age estimation. I have attached a picture which shows how these slender swords are worn.

Regards,
Detlef