Indonesian Klewangs ???

[Robert]

Hello everyone. I just picked these up and would like to get everyone's opinions on them. I originally posted these in the European Armory but it was suggested to me that they might be of Indonesian manufacture and that it might better to post them here. If you would like to read what has been said so far on these here is a link to my original post http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11370 These are the auction pictures and are the only ones I have as of now. I have reduced the size of these pictures to help save space but if these are considered a double post mods please let me know and I will delete them. Any and all information on these concerning possible age, place of origin or any other comments are welcome.

Robert

[Lew]

They seem to be put together from parts blades are from Dutch klewangs and the VOC is a later add on seems very fishy to me.

Lew

[Battara]

I agree with Louis - the engraving looks recent and fresh and hand done.

[asomotif]

Well, I look forward to some detailled pictures.

The blades look like the dutch klewang, but the ricasso looks longer, the fuller looks longer, the curvature seems wrong and the overal finish seems not right to me.

Even old klewang blades that have severe rust + pitting and have been modified, are more recognisable than this pair :shrug: (sorry)

And the hilts have not the quality of the dutch naval swords they just resamble the rough shape of the lionhead.

As for the VOC marking. wrong size, wrong place on the blade, wrong period.
despite a suggestion of the european arms forums, I have never seen VOC marking on blades of later date as a sort of quality mark.

I am not sure if this type of weapons where made to fool collectors, or maybe have seriously been made shortly after the war as a presentation sword for TNI / Indonesian officers.

Anyway, stil looking forward to detailled pictures

[Rick]

IMO, at $75.00 a sword; unless they're absolute garbage you didn't lose much . :shrug:

If the weight of the castings is decent what the heck ?

[Jim McDougall]

Well, I look forward to some detailled pictures.

The blades look like the dutch klewang, but the ricasso looks longer, the fuller looks longer, the curvature seems wrong and the overal finish seems not right to me.

Even old klewang blades that have severe rust + pitting and have been modified, are more recognisable than this pair :shrug: (sorry)

And the hilts have not the quality of the dutch naval swords they just resamble the rough shape of the lionhead.

As for the VOC marking. wrong size, wrong place on the blade, wrong period.
despite a suggestion of the european arms forums, I have never seen VOC marking on blades of later date as a sort of quality mark.

I am not sure if this type of weapons where made to fool collectors, or maybe have seriously been made shortly after the war as a presentation sword for TNI / Indonesian officers.

Anyway, stil looking forward to detailled pictures



Very astutely observed and well placed notes Asomotif. Its great to see the perspective on these swords here, and as I noted on the post on our European forum, the cross referencing is excellent.

The comment on VOC markings on the European forum was mine, and I should have worded it better. What I meant to say was that the VOC mark certainly survived after the dissolution of that company, and the use of the mark continued spuriously.....not as a quality mark..but as an allusion to that well known device used on subsequently produced weapons.

As has been noted, we can optimistically hope that these were swords produced for officers or presentation in the Indonesian navy, but the fact remains, they could be commercially intended items also.

All best regards,
Jim

[Robert]

Well folks, all my questions about these were answered today when these arrived. Pure unadulterated junk!!! :( These are tourist pieces at their absolute worst. Please excuse me if I don't post more pictures as they are not worth the time to take them. Oh well, better luck next time. :o :o :o

Robert

[Rick]

My condolences ... :(

[Battara]

Sorry about your misfortune. As Rsword says, "it is the cost of tuition."

I hate paying tuition. :mad:

[asomotif]

Maybe you can check the scabbards.

If they are original from/for the dutch Klewang they might pay you back your money :) (together with the metal scrap)