MILSCO klewang

cel7 · 27th March 2021, 10:08 PM

Hi, I bought this MILSCO klewang today. Strange is that it differs from other Milsco klewangen that I have seen before. First and particularly striking is that the wooden grip scales are attached with Phillips screws instead of riveted. Also the belt loop is attached with a Phillips screw.
Second is that the guard is made of thin metal different from what was normally used.
A third deviating detail is that the groove in the blade is very narrow and superficial.
I know that Milsco delivered these to the Dutch between 1946/47 and 1950. most of them never reached the troops because the war in Indonesia ended.
Does anyone know why this one is different from usual. Is it perhaps a very late example or maybe a forgery?

drdavid · 28th March 2021, 03:45 AM

Phillips head screw invented in mid 1930's

drdavid · 28th March 2021, 03:54 AM

Phillips head screw invented in early/mid 1930's

Ian · 28th March 2021, 04:30 PM

Hi cel7.

There is quite a lot of material on these pages regarding the "Dutch klewang" and its U.S. versions. You can find it through the Search function.
Several U.S. companies produced these swords, some for use by the U.S. Navy.

The Military Saddlery Company (MILSCO), Milwaukee, Wisconsin produced at least 40,000 klewang starting in 1946, and supplied these to the Dutch East Indies until the time of Indonesian independence in 1949. Many of the 40,000 klewang ordered by the NEI Army in 1946 may not have reached the Dutch East Indies before Indonesian independence. This may explain the presence on the surplus market from 1950 onwards of a large number of MILSCO klewangs, many still wrapped in their factory-supplied greased paper. Some MILSCO klewangs also ended up with the US Army.

Because all of the MILSCO swords were produced from 1946, none of these saw action in WWII. They are the most common form of these swords seen on the market today and are often mistaken for the original Dutch sword.

cel7 · 28th March 2021, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi cel7.

There is quite a lot of material on these pages regarding the "Dutch klewang" and its U.S. versions. You can find it through the Search function.
Several U.S. companies produced these swords, some for use by the U.S. Navy.

The Military Saddlery Company (MILSCO), Milwaukee, Wisconsin produced at least 40,000 klewang starting in 1946, and supplied these to the Dutch East Indies until the time of Indonesian independence in 1949. Many of the 40,000 klewang ordered by the NEI Army in 1946 may not have reached the Dutch East Indies before Indonesian independence. This may explain the presence on the surplus market from 1950 onwards of a large number of MILSCO klewangs, many still wrapped in their factory-supplied greased paper. Some MILSCO klewangs also ended up with the US Army.

Because all of the MILSCO swords were produced from 1946, none of these saw action in WWII. They are the most common form of these swords seen on the market today and are often mistaken for the original Dutch sword.

Hi Ian,

Thanks for your reply! The facts you mentioned above are known to me. I wonder why this one is so different from other Milsco klewngs.

fernando · 28th March 2021, 08:32 PM

Hello Cel7,
Let us move this topic to the Ethno forum, where your 20th century klewang is more within scope; and where the vastest majority of these weapons is discussed. Hopefully the members there will have a say about your example

.

Rick · 29th March 2021, 12:23 AM

I wonder if it is indeed a fake; the philips head screws are a jarring departure as is the almost home made looking guard. The fuller is as you say, very very shallow.
Aren't these swords climbing in price nowadays?

27th March 2021, 10:08 PM	#1
cel7 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 154	MILSCO klewang Hi, I bought this MILSCO klewang today. Strange is that it differs from other Milsco klewangen that I have seen before. First and particularly striking is that the wooden grip scales are attached with Phillips screws instead of riveted. Also the belt loop is attached with a Phillips screw. Second is that the guard is made of thin metal different from what was normally used. A third deviating detail is that the groove in the blade is very narrow and superficial. I know that Milsco delivered these to the Dutch between 1946/47 and 1950. most of them never reached the troops because the war in Indonesia ended. Does anyone know why this one is different from usual. Is it perhaps a very late example or maybe a forgery? Attached Images

29th March 2021, 12:23 AM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I wonder if it is indeed a fake; the philips head screws are a jarring departure as is the almost home made looking guard. The fuller is as you say, very very shallow. Aren't these swords climbing in price nowadays? Last edited by Rick; 29th March 2021 at 12:35 AM.

28th March 2021, 03:45 AM	#2
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 371	Phillips head screw invented in mid 1930's

28th March 2021, 03:54 AM	#3
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 371	Phillips head screw invented in early/mid 1930's

28th March 2021, 04:30 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,198	Hi cel7. There is quite a lot of material on these pages regarding the "Dutch klewang" and its U.S. versions. You can find it through the Search function. Several U.S. companies produced these swords, some for use by the U.S. Navy. The Military Saddlery Company (MILSCO), Milwaukee, Wisconsin produced at least 40,000 klewang starting in 1946, and supplied these to the Dutch East Indies until the time of Indonesian independence in 1949. Many of the 40,000 klewang ordered by the NEI Army in 1946 may not have reached the Dutch East Indies before Indonesian independence. This may explain the presence on the surplus market from 1950 onwards of a large number of MILSCO klewangs, many still wrapped in their factory-supplied greased paper. Some MILSCO klewangs also ended up with the US Army. Because all of the MILSCO swords were produced from 1946, none of these saw action in WWII. They are the most common form of these swords seen on the market today and are often mistaken for the original Dutch sword.

28th March 2021, 08:32 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hello Cel7, Let us move this topic to the Ethno forum, where your 20th century klewang is more within scope; and where the vastest majority of these weapons is discussed. Hopefully the members there will have a say about your example .