long parang nabur for comments

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by T. Koch

Also, what did it originate from? I've often heard that the design is inspired by the Dutch naval cutlass of the period. Pardon me, but I don't think they are all that similar. Is this connection proven somewhere?

IT will be hard to prove I guess, as there were a lot of cultures congregates in that area.
The Dutch established a VOC tradingpost in 1606 for the pepper trade....
I think the Beladah Belabang is a wonderfull weapon, where different cultures meet which can be shown in the sword (the "european"like knuckleguard in combination with the indigenous appearance).......
As most of these weapons were made halfway the 19th century because of the Banjarmasinwar, I think it's most likely to say that they took Dutch swords for example....

Originally Posted by T. Koch

, I haven't anywhere - in online museum collections or elsewhere - been able to find period photos of Malays carrying these? I would simply love to see some!

I've got one image of a chieftain (not dayak so, maybe a converted one or Malayan?) carrying a beladah belabang.
I hope somebody has another one, as this is the only one I know about!

Best,
Maurice

[Maurice]

Here's one of my favorite with a very nice "floral" decorated hilt.

Also a combo, where you can clearly see where different cultures meets into the sword.... ;-)

PS. Both are in the Wereldmuseum collection of Rotterdam.

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by Maurice

Here's one of my favorite with a very nice "floral" decorated hilt.

Also a combo, where you can clearly see where different cultures meets into the sword.... ;-)

PS. Both are in the Wereldmuseum collection of Rotterdam.

I hope they will show up on display one day. Musea are full of hidden treasures.
Fortunately a lot of them can be found on-line nowadays, and even more fortunate Maurice finds them and posts them here

[T. Koch]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Fortunately a lot of them can be found on-line nowadays, and even more fortunate Maurice finds them and posts them here

Indeed - you said it bro!

[T. Koch]

I guess what also puzzles me about the limited geographical occurence, currently attributed to the BB, is that it is simply an excellent sword, that you would think exportable, simply for its sheer functionality.

I can only speak for my own as pictured below, but even though the blade is thick at the spine, rather heavy and has a relatively wide flare towards the tip, it handles really really well: It's heavy enough to deliver a serious stroke, but at the same time - I think due to the rather extensive fullering and the long yelman at the tip - it is incredibly fast in hand. A 10 year old girl would be able to wield this one to effect! It's curved enough for a good slashing stroke, but at the same time not so curved that you wouldn't be able to stab with it.

Weapons27 - if you are still with us in this thread of yours - how does your longer variety handle?


Regarding this one of mine, I see similarities to the bronze handled BB above, although the lines at the ricasso and of the azimat as well as the hand guard, clearly has been done in a simpler, more hurried style. As Wilhelm kindly pointed out, it looks somehow more industrially produced. As you can see, it is currently missing it's pommel-wingnut, so I guess I'm in the market for one of those?


Picture courtesy of Runjeet Singh:



Cheers, - Thor

[CharlesS]

Here is the longest one in my collection. It measures 37in. overall, with a 29in. blade that is very similar to one mentioned above.

It is not the best balanced of swords, but not horrible either.

[CharlesS]

Here are the others for comparison and research.