Nice swords from ......?

Albert · 25th November 2013, 08:34 PM

I found these two swords.
Any thoughts about the origin?

Gustav · 25th November 2013, 09:24 PM

Both are Parangs from Malay Peninsula. Here a good old thread about them:

http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000598.html

Albert · 25th November 2013, 09:52 PM

Thanks Gustav,

The lower one is a look alike, but the upper one looks a bit different from the examples of D.A. Henkel, especially the hilt.
Has anyone a similar sword?

VANDOO · 26th November 2013, 12:53 AM

THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO EXAMPLES AND THEY DO FIT INTO TWO CATEGORYS IF WE GO BY BLADE FORM. ONE HAS A TYPICAL FLAT BLADE GOING INTO A FLAT TANG AND SECURED AND REINFORCED BY A FERRULE. THE OTHER ONE HAS A BUILT IN BOLSTER MADE DURING FORGEING, ITS BLADE IS MORE ORNATE AND HAS A DESIGN WHICH MAY BE AN EYE OR PERHAPS AN ELEPHANTS FACE AND EAR WITH THE CURVED METAL SPUR REPRESENTING ITS TRUNK? ARE THE BLADES SHARP ON THESE TWO?
SOME OF D.A.HENKELS EXAMPLES HAVE THE FLAT TANG AND SEVERAL HAVE THE BUILT IN BOLSTER AND ALL HAVE THE CURVE IN THE BLADES WHICH IS NOT TOO PRACTICAL FOR A CHOPPING PARANG USE. SOME HAVE THE POINTED BLADE AND SOME WITH THE MORE BLUNT CHOPPING BLADE. A CLOSE UP OF THE ODD HANDLE ON THE ONE AND THE DESIGN ON THE BLADE OF THE OTHER WOULD HELP REVEAL A FEW MORE DETAILS.
THE LARGE SIZE OF SOME MENTIONED BY D.A.HENKEL ALMOST PUTS SOME OF THEM INTO THE PANABAS RANGE BUT IF NOT SHARPENED THEY WOULD NOT SERVE THE SAME FUNCTION. INTERESTING ITEMS AND A GOOD FIND.

I HOPE MORE INFORMATION WILL BE REVEALED.

VVV · 26th November 2013, 07:49 AM

Albert,

Based on the background on the picture the origin must be Willem vd Post

Seriously, the lower one is from North Malaysia (Kelantan, Pattani), as Gustav mentioned.
The upper one is unusual and more tricky. However, based on the hilt I would at first glance place it in Sumatra. Could you please add some more close up pictures of this klewang?

Michael

Albert · 27th November 2013, 10:05 PM

Michael, it's a small world!

I added a few pictures of details.
I'm curious if this gives new insights.

Gustav · 27th November 2013, 10:24 PM

Maybe I am wrong, yet the lower one don't look like an old item to me. The engrawings seem to be done mechanically, the workmanship of them and the "trunk" is, how to say, something "other" like on an old piece.

I am not aware of similar pieces be made after WWII till about 2000, yet perhaps I simply have missed the information.

VVV · 27th November 2013, 10:41 PM

My guess is still Sumatra for the upper klewang. However, I have not seen any identical ones documented anywhere.
I also suspect, like the North Malay klewang, that it is not before WWII.

Michael

Albert · 28th November 2013, 10:14 PM

Thank you all for your comment.

25th November 2013, 08:34 PM	#1
Albert Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 194	Nice swords from ......? I found these two swords. Any thoughts about the origin? Attached Images

27th November 2013, 10:05 PM	#6
Albert Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 194	Pictures of details Michael, it's a small world! I added a few pictures of details. I'm curious if this gives new insights. Attached Images

28th November 2013, 10:14 PM	#9
Albert Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 194	Thanks Thank you all for your comment.

25th November 2013, 09:24 PM	#2
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,248	Both are Parangs from Malay Peninsula. Here a good old thread about them: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000598.html

25th November 2013, 09:52 PM	#3
Albert Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 194	Thanks Gustav, The lower one is a look alike, but the upper one looks a bit different from the examples of D.A. Henkel, especially the hilt. Has anyone a similar sword?

26th November 2013, 12:53 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO EXAMPLES AND THEY DO FIT INTO TWO CATEGORYS IF WE GO BY BLADE FORM. ONE HAS A TYPICAL FLAT BLADE GOING INTO A FLAT TANG AND SECURED AND REINFORCED BY A FERRULE. THE OTHER ONE HAS A BUILT IN BOLSTER MADE DURING FORGEING, ITS BLADE IS MORE ORNATE AND HAS A DESIGN WHICH MAY BE AN EYE OR PERHAPS AN ELEPHANTS FACE AND EAR WITH THE CURVED METAL SPUR REPRESENTING ITS TRUNK? ARE THE BLADES SHARP ON THESE TWO? SOME OF D.A.HENKELS EXAMPLES HAVE THE FLAT TANG AND SEVERAL HAVE THE BUILT IN BOLSTER AND ALL HAVE THE CURVE IN THE BLADES WHICH IS NOT TOO PRACTICAL FOR A CHOPPING PARANG USE. SOME HAVE THE POINTED BLADE AND SOME WITH THE MORE BLUNT CHOPPING BLADE. A CLOSE UP OF THE ODD HANDLE ON THE ONE AND THE DESIGN ON THE BLADE OF THE OTHER WOULD HELP REVEAL A FEW MORE DETAILS. THE LARGE SIZE OF SOME MENTIONED BY D.A.HENKEL ALMOST PUTS SOME OF THEM INTO THE PANABAS RANGE BUT IF NOT SHARPENED THEY WOULD NOT SERVE THE SAME FUNCTION. INTERESTING ITEMS AND A GOOD FIND. I HOPE MORE INFORMATION WILL BE REVEALED.

26th November 2013, 07:49 AM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Albert, Based on the background on the picture the origin must be Willem vd Post Seriously, the lower one is from North Malaysia (Kelantan, Pattani), as Gustav mentioned. The upper one is unusual and more tricky. However, based on the hilt I would at first glance place it in Sumatra. Could you please add some more close up pictures of this klewang? Michael

27th November 2013, 10:24 PM	#7
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,248	Maybe I am wrong, yet the lower one don't look like an old item to me. The engrawings seem to be done mechanically, the workmanship of them and the "trunk" is, how to say, something "other" like on an old piece. I am not aware of similar pieces be made after WWII till about 2000, yet perhaps I simply have missed the information.

27th November 2013, 10:41 PM	#8
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	My guess is still Sumatra for the upper klewang. However, I have not seen any identical ones documented anywhere. I also suspect, like the North Malay klewang, that it is not before WWII. Michael