Parang Suduk?

[ariel]

Just ended on e-bay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6515663432&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

I like the handle: kind of "Parang Nabur-ish" in its general flavour. Any thoughts about the blade?

[Ian]

Hi Ariel:

I was looking at this one closely.

The blade appears to be like a pedang lurus, partly sharpened along the back edge. The flaring in width of the blade just before the hilt is typical. I would call this an Indonesian pedang with a European style of hilt. That D-guard is certainly not standard dress.

There is a rare form of pedang from the Toraja (Sulawesi) that has a brass S-shaped cross guard, horn handle, a brass cap on the end of the hilt and brass chain linking the guard and cap -- also a European influence to the hilt. I've seen two of these in the last ten years, and have one of them minus the brass cap and chain on the hilt. The other one also was missing the brass chain.

Ian.

[tom hyle]

"Heavily corroded and has a pleasing oxidized appearance" Now that's spin :rolleyes: I gotta remember that one; I've got some things with real pleasing appearances :)
The sword formerly known as Tempius :D a big one, too; cool.
The parang nabur type hilt (and note that that is an "Eastern" knucklebow; the type that went TO Europe) is sometimes seen on these. Collectors' tale is it was favoured by professional soldiers (though they're usually referred to as "guardsmen"). Seen 'em with knucklebows full and partial, as well as with knuckle chains, and some of the mountings said to be quite old.
Interestingly, the plainer, more common (note I hesitate to say older or more traditional, though in some sense it probably is) handle, which swells out to match the width of the blade base, often has a ferule which extends to form a "drip guard" or sheath lid.