Malay sword???

zalmoxis · 27th January 2006, 06:24 AM

This one just ended. Is this a Malay sword?? I have never seen a blade like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1

Ian · 27th January 2006, 06:49 AM

It appears to be a variant of the parang nabur. Our Moderator, Rick, has a similar example and you may find pictures of his by searching for parang nabur on this site. Probably from Borneo or Malaysia.

Ian.

VVV · 27th January 2006, 10:48 AM

I was also watching that sword and even recieved some close up pictures.

At first I thought it was a Parang Nabur but the sheath really made me hesitate.
I have seen several variations of Naburs but never with a sheath like that.
The sheats of the 50+ Naburs I have documented all have a round end and several horisontal bands.
Also the "hook" on the blade, close to the guard, looks a bit strange compared to the "regular" Nabur hook variations (if any)?

Is there any possibility that it could be some other kind of sabre from another region?

Michael

Ian · 27th January 2006, 02:33 PM

There is a nice thread on parang nabur with pictures here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=692

Dajak attached a picture of several of these swords, with the fourth example having an all brass hilt. You can see that picture here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...tid=3618&stc=1

The blade on the one that sold recently on eBayis unusual, but I think it still falls into the general style of the parang nabur. The scabbard is also unusual, as Michael noted, but may be a regional variant or a later marriage.

Looking through v. Zonneveld, I don't see anything else resembling this sword.

Ian.

VVV · 27th January 2006, 03:07 PM

Ian,

Thanks for the links and your input.
Dajak's Jimpul picture illustrates very well what the (single) hook usually looks like (if there is any).
All brass hilts on Naburs is not that uncommon.
What's most unusual with this sword is the scabbard, as I wrote earlier.
I doubt it's a regional variation but it could of course be a later marriage, as you suggested, and if so matched probably outside Borneo?

Doesn't there exist any kind of sword, outside Indonesia/Malaysia/Brunei, that resembles a Nabur?

Michael

RSWORD · 27th January 2006, 04:41 PM

Might I suggest an European influence in the scabbard throat and chape. The general shape and form of the chape reminds me of European Naval examples of the early to mid-19th century.

VVV · 29th January 2006, 09:11 PM

I had a look in the Dutch Klewang book (Dutch Army, not Indonesian, Klewangs) and they had resembling scabbards.
Like RS, and indirectly Ian, suggests the scabbard at least is probably European or European influenced.

Michael

ariel · 30th January 2006, 05:39 AM

Here is another one: much higher quality but I like the first one better.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

VVV · 30th January 2006, 09:24 AM

I also like the other blade version better but the pommel is more rare on this version. The guard is a bit unusual.

Michael

Dajak · 31st January 2006, 07:36 PM

Hi this is an parang nabur it is an malay sword that was also used by the seadajaks off Borneo

27th January 2006, 06:24 AM	#1
zalmoxis Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: GA USA Posts: 76	Malay sword??? This one just ended. Is this a Malay sword?? I have never seen a blade like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1

27th January 2006, 10:48 AM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	I was also watching that sword and even recieved some close up pictures. At first I thought it was a Parang Nabur but the sheath really made me hesitate. I have seen several variations of Naburs but never with a sheath like that. The sheats of the 50+ Naburs I have documented all have a round end and several horisontal bands. Also the "hook" on the blade, close to the guard, looks a bit strange compared to the "regular" Nabur hook variations (if any)? Is there any possibility that it could be some other kind of sabre from another region? Michael Last edited by VVV; 27th January 2006 at 11:04 AM.

27th January 2006, 02:33 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Parang nabur There is a nice thread on parang nabur with pictures here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=692 Dajak attached a picture of several of these swords, with the fourth example having an all brass hilt. You can see that picture here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...tid=3618&stc=1 The blade on the one that sold recently on eBayis unusual, but I think it still falls into the general style of the parang nabur. The scabbard is also unusual, as Michael noted, but may be a regional variant or a later marriage. Looking through v. Zonneveld, I don't see anything else resembling this sword. Ian.

27th January 2006, 06:49 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	It appears to be a variant of the parang nabur. Our Moderator, Rick, has a similar example and you may find pictures of his by searching for parang nabur on this site. Probably from Borneo or Malaysia. Ian.

27th January 2006, 03:07 PM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Ian, Thanks for the links and your input. Dajak's Jimpul picture illustrates very well what the (single) hook usually looks like (if there is any). All brass hilts on Naburs is not that uncommon. What's most unusual with this sword is the scabbard, as I wrote earlier. I doubt it's a regional variation but it could of course be a later marriage, as you suggested, and if so matched probably outside Borneo? Doesn't there exist any kind of sword, outside Indonesia/Malaysia/Brunei, that resembles a Nabur? Michael

27th January 2006, 04:41 PM	#6
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	Might I suggest an European influence in the scabbard throat and chape. The general shape and form of the chape reminds me of European Naval examples of the early to mid-19th century.

29th January 2006, 09:11 PM	#7
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	I had a look in the Dutch Klewang book (Dutch Army, not Indonesian, Klewangs) and they had resembling scabbards. Like RS, and indirectly Ian, suggests the scabbard at least is probably European or European influenced. Michael

30th January 2006, 05:39 AM	#8
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Here is another one: much higher quality but I like the first one better. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

30th January 2006, 09:24 AM	#9
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	I also like the other blade version better but the pommel is more rare on this version. The guard is a bit unusual. Michael

31st January 2006, 07:36 PM	#10
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi this is an parang nabur it is an malay sword that was also used by the seadajaks off Borneo