Golok?

[Flavio]

Hello everyone! I don't know nothing about weapons of south-east Asia, but i'd like to buy a Java golok that i have already seen. Could you post some pictures of your golok and tell me wich are the most important characteristics of this kind of weapon? Thank you very much.

[Rick]

Hi Flavio , Goloks come in many forms .
Here is one from Jawa .

[VVV]

Ciao Flavio,

Here are some more examples.

Michael

[Flavio]

Thank you very much Michael and Rick. Rick the one that i have seen has an handle like yours. What are the age of these goloks? Thanks

[Rick]

Generally turn of the century to 1930's or so Flavio .
Mine is not dated though many are .
They seem to be getting scarcer in the market of late .

[kai]

Generally turn of the century to 1930's or so Flavio.
(caveat emptor mode on)
There are quite a few contemporary pieces floating around, especially with the more flamboyant hilts. Some with new but artificially aged/corroded pamor blades, too.

Of course, very cheap workhorses can also be bought at local markets since the majority are agricultural tools. These do come with a hardened edge and are great users.

The usual recommendations apply if you seek genuine vintage or antique goloks...

Regards,
Kai

[jmings]

Hi Flavio , Goloks come in many forms .
Here is one from Jawa .

Quite impressive and beautiful. Do you have the dimensions?

[Rick]

Hi Jerry ,
The golok itself ; 13" blade , 19.25" oa marked Tjikeroeh .
This one has been in a tussle as it bears defensive nicks on the spine and flat of the blade and scabbard . I replaced the scabbard lug as it was missing when I bought it years ago on ebay .

Agree with Kai there are goloks still being mf'd. in Jawa today .
Valiant Co. out of Oz carried them plus many other types of swords from the area ; I think they may have gone out of business though .

www.valiantco.com

Look under Java

[Spunjer]

hi
i believe this is similar, no? just came off eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6565657539

is this a contemporary type or an older one???

[VVV]

Hi Spunjer,

Looks like the older one to me.
Great find for whoever that bought it.

Michael

[Spunjer]

thanks ;) ....

[Spunjer]

here's the golok:

dimensions:
total length (in scabbard)= 26"
total length (sword only)= 23.5"
blade= 17.5"
handle= 6"

[Rick]

Nice one !
Dated 192?
Often these are found without the scabbard lug .
I had to make a replacement for my example .
Really nice engraving ; I like the star pattern .

[Spunjer]

Dated 192?
Often these are found without the scabbard lug .

rick,

in regards with the date, i was thinking more in the line of 1892, perhaps? and what's a scabbard lug?

i do like the engravings on the spine, tho; very ornated sword overall...

[Rick]

rick,

in regards with the date, i was thinking more in the line of 1892, perhaps? and what's a scabbard lug?

i do like the engravings on the spine, tho; very ornated sword overall...

As for the date I was going on the assumption that often the first number in a date is left off or represented by a dot in muslim cultures .

Second I'm really not sure what the native term for that projection on the side of your scabbard is so I refer to it as a 'lug' . :)

[Ian]

Rick:

I believe the "lug" to which you refer is called a scabbard slide.

Ian.

[Rick]

Rick:

I believe the "lug" to which you refer is called a scabbard slide.

Ian.

Ahh , thanks Ian !
Scabbard slide it is . :)

[Spunjer]

As for the date I was going on the assumption that often the first number in a date is left off or represented by a dot in muslim cultures .

wasn't aware of that, rick. thank you...

[Rick]

Spunjer , I'm not saying my assumption is anything other than that ; I could well be wrong .

When you look at arabic dates on Indo Persian stuff often the first number is marked this way ; so putting two and two together led me to believe that this could be true for swords made in a Muslim nation but dated in different numerals .
YMMV ... :D

The town where your sword was made is now known for the pellet guns they manufacture ; interesting , no ?