Help to ID Sword

Craig Johnson · 24th March 2005, 04:05 AM

Hello All

It has been a while since I have posted. Good to see some of the old boys still around and some new folks I recognize as well.

I have a piece a fellow sent me some picks of asking for ID. I know I have seen something similar but its been something I have been unable to track down so I don't know if its something I saw at flee market or written up in an article, dang I hate getting older

Here are some pics of the sword.

So I know someone here will be far more likely to have the knowledge floating in their brain, can any one ID this?

Best to all

Craig

tom hyle · 24th March 2005, 04:44 AM

Not me

but I have some questions /observations that might help: The figure has a Chinese look to it; is it wearing a turban though? Which edge is sharp? That sampir-like sheath mouth is odd; when I saw the first pic, in the sheath, I thought it was a handguard on the sword.

derek · 24th March 2005, 04:56 AM

If the straight edge is sharp I would be inclined to say Indonesian.
-d

tom hyle · 24th March 2005, 05:01 AM

It may not help, but doesn't this bone hilt resemble a noncarved one we discussed on the old forum, on a sabre-ish sword, and, as I recall, never figured out for sure? Anyone have a better memory?

Craig Johnson · 24th March 2005, 05:30 AM

Here is some more info I forgot to put in the first post.

the total length is 71 cm
grip is 16 cm
blade is 47.8 cm
Scabbard is 55 cm and has a dragon or lizzard motife
Hilt seems to be of bone.

Derek that is the part of the world I was thinking as well though the grip seems to remind me of something I have seen else where and I just can't remember where.

Craig

Conogre · 24th March 2005, 08:47 AM

Sweet looking sword, and honestly, a new one to me.
My impression is that it's Japanese or Chinese, with the sharpened edge having a lot of importance.....if the straight side was sharpened, with the curved tip dull or flattenend, it would be similar to a klewang and it could be Indonesian, but I'm guessing that it's the other side, like a sabre.
Very interesting, and with a large amount of bone, very reminiscent of the carved Japanese knives.
Does it even HAVE a sharpened edge, for that matter?
I'm wondering if it's as old as it appears or if it's possibly one of the Chinese pieces artifically aged, something at which they seem to be the undisputed masters currently.
In any case, very nice aquisition.
Mike

Craig Johnson · 30th March 2005, 02:49 AM

Your guess was correct. I checked with the owner and the sharpened edge is the curved one.

I have a call in to a fellow who is up on Chinese items and maybe able to shine some light but have not heard back from him.

Craig

24th March 2005, 04:05 AM	#1
Craig Johnson Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 12	Help to ID Sword Hello All It has been a while since I have posted. Good to see some of the old boys still around and some new folks I recognize as well. I have a piece a fellow sent me some picks of asking for ID. I know I have seen something similar but its been something I have been unable to track down so I don't know if its something I saw at flee market or written up in an article, dang I hate getting older Here are some pics of the sword. So I know someone here will be far more likely to have the knowledge floating in their brain, can any one ID this? Best to all Craig

24th March 2005, 05:30 AM	#5
Craig Johnson Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 12	Some more Info Here is some more info I forgot to put in the first post. the total length is 71 cm grip is 16 cm blade is 47.8 cm Scabbard is 55 cm and has a dragon or lizzard motife Hilt seems to be of bone. Derek that is the part of the world I was thinking as well though the grip seems to remind me of something I have seen else where and I just can't remember where. Craig

30th March 2005, 02:49 AM	#7
Craig Johnson Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 12	Sharpened edge Your guess was correct. I checked with the owner and the sharpened edge is the curved one. I have a call in to a fellow who is up on Chinese items and maybe able to shine some light but have not heard back from him. Craig

24th March 2005, 04:44 AM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Not me but I have some questions /observations that might help: The figure has a Chinese look to it; is it wearing a turban though? Which edge is sharp? That sampir-like sheath mouth is odd; when I saw the first pic, in the sheath, I thought it was a handguard on the sword.

24th March 2005, 04:56 AM	#3
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	If the straight edge is sharp I would be inclined to say Indonesian. -d

24th March 2005, 05:01 AM	#4
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	It may not help, but doesn't this bone hilt resemble a noncarved one we discussed on the old forum, on a sabre-ish sword, and, as I recall, never figured out for sure? Anyone have a better memory?

24th March 2005, 08:47 AM	#6
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Sweet looking sword, and honestly, a new one to me. My impression is that it's Japanese or Chinese, with the sharpened edge having a lot of importance.....if the straight side was sharpened, with the curved tip dull or flattenend, it would be similar to a klewang and it could be Indonesian, but I'm guessing that it's the other side, like a sabre. Very interesting, and with a large amount of bone, very reminiscent of the carved Japanese knives. Does it even HAVE a sharpened edge, for that matter? I'm wondering if it's as old as it appears or if it's possibly one of the Chinese pieces artifically aged, something at which they seem to be the undisputed masters currently. In any case, very nice aquisition. Mike