Dagger identification

[Pathos]

Dear All,

I am looking for informations about this dagger I got from a family member.
If someone can track the place of origin, possible use and age would be highly appreciated.
Thank you and warm regards from a Portuguese based in The Netherlands

PS. the blade is about 25cm

[Ian]

Hi Pathos,

Welcome to the Forum! You have an Indonesian sewar from the Dutch colonial period. So not surprising to find it in The Netherlands. Others can tell you much more about it than I can, so I'll leave it to the experts.

Regards,

Ian.

[naturalist]

Sumatera Island, Indonesia

[Pathos]

Thank you Ian and naturalist,

Helps a lot tracking the history of this object.

[Ian]

I would say this one is likely 20th C, pre-WWII. If you use the search function on this site and type in "sewar" you will find a lot of information.

[kai]

Welcome to the forum, Pathos!

This type of sewar is from the West coast of Sumatra. This piece does not seem to originate from Aceh - it should be Minang Kabau. A commoner's piece.

Regarding age, I do believe it being from the 19th century.

BTW, how thick is the blade before the bolster?

Regards,
Kai

[Pathos]

Dear And and Kai,

Thank you for your valuable knowledge. Somehow match the little and blured informations surrounding the sewar. Among other objects that belonged to the original owner I could find a Hensoldt- Wetzlar travel/expedition microscope (from around 1850- 1900).
And the association with the Dutch Colonies is also a match.

[Pathos]

PS. And Kai, the thickness is the blade before the bolster are 5mm.
Regards

[Ian]

Pathos,

It seems your sewar has an interesting story. I'm sure folks here would like to hear about your relative and his/her work. Hensoldt made excellent microscopes, and the type you describe was still being used in the mid-20th C and later for examining medical and biological specimens. First class optics.

[kai]

And Kai, the thickness is the blade before the bolster are 5mm.
Thanks, Pathos!

Yup, I'm sticking with my estimate.

Regards,
Kai