Bugis Alamang

[DaveS]

Here is a Bugis Alamang for comment. Blade is 19 inches long, 25 inches
overall with a horn hilt. The silver overlay at the top of the scabbard seems
to be a solid piece of silver except where the blade cut-out is. The scab-
bard is VERY top heavy. I can shine a light into the blade cut-out and it
seems to be one thick piece all the way down to where the wooden part
of the scabbard attaches. Any ideas as to why they use what seems to
be a solid piece of silver rather than a thin overlay........Dave

[Sajen]

Hello Dave,

very nice alamang you have there. The handle is a very strange form. I have a similar example, look here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10896&highlight=alamang
By my one isn't a cap at the mouth of the scabbard but I think that the reason why it's worked this way could be to prevent a demage of the outer silver fittings after years of use. I have seen some swords/daggers/knifes where the outer silver fittings are demaged (cutted) from years of use by a sharp blade.

Regards,

Detlef

[VANDOO]

SAJEN'S EXAMPLE IS CLOSER TO WHAT I AM USED TO SEE IN THE ALAMANG. YOUR EXAMPLES GRIP AND HANDLE IS QUITE A BIT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN. I HAD HEARD THERE WAS A FAMOUS WARRIOR WHO USED THIS FORM OF SWORD. UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T REMEMBER THE WARRIORS NAME OR THE PLACE HE WAS FROM. I HEARD THE STORY IN BORNEO IN KUCHING. CONGRADULATIONS TWO NICE EXAMPLES SHOWING A LOT OF VARIATION.