Tjikeroeh swords

DaveA · 14th April 2017, 10:31 AM

This is a klewang with a European-style grip and a clamshell langet on the front of the cross guard. A klewang blade is somewhat unusual to find from this era c. 1910. The hilt is made of antler with brass pommel and finishings and is 6 inches in length (excluding clamshell). The s-shaped guard, also brass, is 4 ¾ inches wide with rounded "acorn" finials. The blade measures 21 ¼ inches in length along the bottom, 19 ½ inches along the top. Typical of klewangs, the blade broadens from 1 ⅜ inches wide at the base to 2 inches at the tip. The thickness has a slight distal taper from ¼ inch at the base to ⅜ inch at tip, measured along the top of the blade. A large fuller with okir-style engraving is found on both sides of the blade, each measuring 13 inches. The name of the hamlet where this sword was created is enscribed on one side of the blade, "Tjicatjing" along with the year, 1910.

More pictures at: http://atkinson-swords.com/collectio...onial-klewang/

gp · 18th November 2021, 07:27 PM

chikeru / tjikeroeh....

I do see quite a lot of threads from 2005 to 2015
some interesting, some guessing and some well...

just managed to lay my hands on 2 of them: a small and a big one
First I was advised on literature:

Keris Jawa (Haryoguritno) de Kris I, (Tammens), Traditional weapons from the Indonesian Archipelago (van Zonneveld), Keris Indonesia, Keris Bali (Neka) en Tafsir Keris (Bpk Junus)

Tjikeroeh ( since 1972 Cikeruh in modern Bahasa Indonesia) is a dessa east of Bandung, Java where around the turn of the 20th century in the period between 1890 to 1920 production of weapons took place ,specially cold weapons.
Tjikeroeh at that time, just like Ttjipatjing (Cipacin) which is closeby, famous for its production of, not only local but also western European arms like sabers, knives and daggers.
A huge misunderstanding is the fact that they only produced for local KNIL ( Dutch Indies Army) or as substitute for local Dutch residents working for the railraod, government or even tourists.
A huge varity from working knives like simple bado to a fancy golok, parang, european klewang and (bowie-like) knives and dagger, with handles from bone, horn or wood.
Scabbard mostly (dark) wood, sometimes with copper, nicely decorated and place of manufatoring and date engraved. ( Tjikeroeh or variances like TJKRH, TJIKE, TJIKR, TJKR)

Regardless the “export nature” many were very good sword, due to the use of spring steel !

gp · 18th November 2021, 07:34 PM

hereby my small one, a so called hartsvanger or Hirschfänger

Totale length 26.5 cm incl scabbard
knife 23.5 cm
blade 14.5 cm lang 2 cm wide
grip 9.5 cm
ferrule 1.5cm pommel 1.5 cm
bone grip 6 cm copper crossguard 6 cm
scallop shell 3 cm 1.3 narrow
locket 1 cm

gp · 18th November 2021, 07:35 PM

some more

gp · 18th November 2021, 07:41 PM

now the bigger one

49 total, scabbard 38 cm, chape 6 cm, locket 4 cm
scallop shell 4 cm 3 narrow
bone grip 7.5 cm pommel 2 cm
knife 42 cm blade 30.5 cm with a width of 3- 2.5 - 4 cm
drawing on the blade : 7.5 and 6 cm, reverse side 8 en 7 cm

gp · 18th November 2021, 07:46 PM

a few more...

Peter Andeweg · 19th November 2021, 08:22 AM

Nice example Micheal,

The Tjikeroeh swords were made around 1870-1920 and were often made for KNIL soldiers as private purchase. These are in fact the first mass produced swords/knives from West Java. Earlier examples were often made in the region Tjiandjoer, nearby all near Bandung, but were different in shape and decoration.
The decoration pattern on yours is commonly seen on most Tjikeroe (Cikeruh) swords.

They had no military use, but were brought back to the Netherlands as reminder of their time in the Dutch East Indies.
These swords were not made for the East India company. I have seen a 19th century example which was marked VOC and dated 1698, but it was actually made in the 1840-1850's. It was probably ment as a tribute or perhaps talismanic.

Most of these swords are inspired by the German and Dutch 'hirshfanger' or the KNIL regulated Klewang models.

Amuk Murugul · 19th November 2021, 10:40 AM

Hullo gp,

This may help:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...44&postcount=1

Best,

Duccio · 22nd November 2021, 11:54 AM

Speaking of goloks from Tjikeroeh, I would like to know if any expert on this type of object can give me some information on the golok of which I am attaching some photos:
it is a knife with a very corroded blade (deep rust then eliminated? Or what else?)
But the thing that intrigues me is the writing in gold letters on one side. It doesn't read very well from the photo, but it says "K_GJELLERUP".
The only reference I was able to find online is to Karl Adolph Gjellerup, Danish poet and Nobel laureate (1857-1919).
But it seems rather strange to me that a Danish poet owns a golok and makes us write his name on the blade ...
Any suggestions?
Greetings to everyone.
Duccio

Gustav · 22nd November 2021, 12:07 PM

http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/FMC...GjellerupK.htm

kai · 22nd November 2021, 09:27 PM

Hello Duccio,

Quote:

a knife with a very corroded blade (deep rust then eliminated? Or what else?)

Yes, I believe so - these swords are usually made from modern steel.

The corrosion seems consistent with the blade being wrapped for storage and then sitting with quite a bit of moisture for extended periods.

I also believe Gustav pointed to the likely owner. Let me know if you decide to part with this piece, please!

Regards,
Kai

14th April 2017, 10:31 AM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 415	Klewang from Tjicatjing This is a klewang with a European-style grip and a clamshell langet on the front of the cross guard. A klewang blade is somewhat unusual to find from this era c. 1910. The hilt is made of antler with brass pommel and finishings and is 6 inches in length (excluding clamshell). The s-shaped guard, also brass, is 4 ¾ inches wide with rounded "acorn" finials. The blade measures 21 ¼ inches in length along the bottom, 19 ½ inches along the top. Typical of klewangs, the blade broadens from 1 ⅜ inches wide at the base to 2 inches at the tip. The thickness has a slight distal taper from ¼ inch at the base to ⅜ inch at tip, measured along the top of the blade. A large fuller with okir-style engraving is found on both sides of the blade, each measuring 13 inches. The name of the hamlet where this sword was created is enscribed on one side of the blade, "Tjicatjing" along with the year, 1910. More pictures at: http://atkinson-swords.com/collectio...onial-klewang/ Attached Images

18th November 2021, 07:27 PM	#2
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 823	chikeru / tjikeroeh.... I do see quite a lot of threads from 2005 to 2015 some interesting, some guessing and some well... just managed to lay my hands on 2 of them: a small and a big one First I was advised on literature: Keris Jawa (Haryoguritno) de Kris I, (Tammens), Traditional weapons from the Indonesian Archipelago (van Zonneveld), Keris Indonesia, Keris Bali (Neka) en Tafsir Keris (Bpk Junus) Tjikeroeh ( since 1972 Cikeruh in modern Bahasa Indonesia) is a dessa east of Bandung, Java where around the turn of the 20th century in the period between 1890 to 1920 production of weapons took place ,specially cold weapons. Tjikeroeh at that time, just like Ttjipatjing (Cipacin) which is closeby, famous for its production of, not only local but also western European arms like sabers, knives and daggers. A huge misunderstanding is the fact that they only produced for local KNIL ( Dutch Indies Army) or as substitute for local Dutch residents working for the railraod, government or even tourists. A huge varity from working knives like simple bado to a fancy golok, parang, european klewang and (bowie-like) knives and dagger, with handles from bone, horn or wood. Scabbard mostly (dark) wood, sometimes with copper, nicely decorated and place of manufatoring and date engraved. ( Tjikeroeh or variances like TJKRH, TJIKE, TJIKR, TJKR) Regardless the “export nature” many were very good sword, due to the use of spring steel ! Attached Images Last edited by gp; 18th November 2021 at 07:49 PM.

18th November 2021, 07:34 PM	#3
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 823	hereby my small one, a so called hartsvanger or Hirschfänger Totale length 26.5 cm incl scabbard knife 23.5 cm blade 14.5 cm lang 2 cm wide grip 9.5 cm ferrule 1.5cm pommel 1.5 cm bone grip 6 cm copper crossguard 6 cm scallop shell 3 cm 1.3 narrow locket 1 cm Attached Images

18th November 2021, 07:35 PM	#4
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 823	some more Attached Images

18th November 2021, 07:41 PM	#5
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 823	now the bigger one 49 total, scabbard 38 cm, chape 6 cm, locket 4 cm scallop shell 4 cm 3 narrow bone grip 7.5 cm pommel 2 cm knife 42 cm blade 30.5 cm with a width of 3- 2.5 - 4 cm drawing on the blade : 7.5 and 6 cm, reverse side 8 en 7 cm Attached Images

18th November 2021, 07:46 PM	#6
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 823	a few more... Attached Images

19th November 2021, 08:22 AM	#7
Peter Andeweg Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Vlissingen, Netherlands Posts: 71	Nice example Micheal, The Tjikeroeh swords were made around 1870-1920 and were often made for KNIL soldiers as private purchase. These are in fact the first mass produced swords/knives from West Java. Earlier examples were often made in the region Tjiandjoer, nearby all near Bandung, but were different in shape and decoration. The decoration pattern on yours is commonly seen on most Tjikeroe (Cikeruh) swords. They had no military use, but were brought back to the Netherlands as reminder of their time in the Dutch East Indies. These swords were not made for the East India company. I have seen a 19th century example which was marked VOC and dated 1698, but it was actually made in the 1840-1850's. It was probably ment as a tribute or perhaps talismanic. Most of these swords are inspired by the German and Dutch 'hirshfanger' or the KNIL regulated Klewang models.

19th November 2021, 10:40 AM	#8
Amuk Murugul Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben Posts: 472	Hullo gp, This may help: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...44&postcount=1 Best,

22nd November 2021, 11:54 AM	#9
Duccio Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Florence, Italy Posts: 64	Speaking of goloks from Tjikeroeh, I would like to know if any expert on this type of object can give me some information on the golok of which I am attaching some photos: it is a knife with a very corroded blade (deep rust then eliminated? Or what else?) But the thing that intrigues me is the writing in gold letters on one side. It doesn't read very well from the photo, but it says "K_GJELLERUP". The only reference I was able to find online is to Karl Adolph Gjellerup, Danish poet and Nobel laureate (1857-1919). But it seems rather strange to me that a Danish poet owns a golok and makes us write his name on the blade ... Any suggestions? Greetings to everyone. Duccio Attached Images

22nd November 2021, 12:07 PM	#10
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,273	http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/FMC...GjellerupK.htm