Indonesian sword ID request

[Sajen]

This sword was offered to me privately from Indonesia recently. It was found on Sumba.

[milandro]

I had asword with an almost identical hilt and basket , but that one came almost certainly from Lombok (different blade)

[Ian]

It is interesting to look back in the Archives at some of the precursors of the 'Dutch klewang." Amuk posted these examples, some of which resemble what we are discussing here. This is Figure 9 of his post here:
.

And here's examples of the development of the Maréchaussée sabel, showing early precursors (A,B) with altered versions of the Dutch 1875 cavalry hilt.
.

It appears that several examples shown above, including the OP, may have been early precursors of what was later developed into the Maréchausséee sabel or "Dutch klewang." Some of these precursor resemble Sumatran klewang, and it is documented that the "Dutch klewang" was introduced to address the ongoing unrest in Aceh and to provide troops with a sword that competed favorably with local swords. These precursor swords were developed in the 1880 and 1890s, before the arrival of the military "Dutch klewang." Some were made in Sumatra and possibly some in Java. There is a discussion of these developments in Puype, JP & de Stürler Boekwijt, RJ. Klewang. Catalogus van het Legermuseum (Catalogue of the Dutch Army Museum). KNIL, Landmacht, Zeemacht, Marechaussee en Politie. Royal Netherlands Army and Arms Museum: Delft, 2001, pp 344.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Sajen

This sword was offered to me privately from Indonesia recently. It was found on Sumba.

Silver type, manufacture style, along side of the hilt type, and size, I too feel this is Lombok.... the applied dragon is very atypical though...

I've a Lombok Klewang here, 100% native made that is a faithful mirror of the Dutch types in size, shapes and proportions, but with a subtle differences in the grip shape (which look like a man in prayer), fullering, and that the blade has some personal intricacies, piercings and talismanic markings... sitting is a dark Saracen finish, possibly its original warangan,

[Gavin Nugent]

I see a little similarity in size and regions noted within this image David presented some time ago.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...&postcount=297

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Gavin Nugent

Silver type, manufacture style, along side of the hilt type, and size, I too feel this is Lombok.... the applied dragon is very atypical though...

Hello Gav,

First I need to say that it will be mamas instead of silver. Origin is unknown but it was found on Sumba. The dragon will be a later addition IMO.

Regards,
Detlef