Help to ID Sword

[Craig Johnson]

Hello All

It has been a while since I have posted. Good to see some of the old boys still around and some new folks I recognize as well.

I have a piece a fellow sent me some picks of asking for ID. I know I have seen something similar but its been something I have been unable to track down so I don't know if its something I saw at flee market or written up in an article, dang I hate getting older :)

Here are some pics of the sword.
http://www.armor.com/misc/foto2.jpg
http://www.armor.com/misc/foto3.jpg
http://www.armor.com/misc/foto4.jpg http://www.armor.com/misc/foto5.jpg

So I know someone here will be far more likely to have the knowledge floating in their brain, can any one ID this?

Best to all

Craig

[tom hyle]

Not me :( but I have some questions /observations that might help: The figure has a Chinese look to it; is it wearing a turban though? Which edge is sharp? That sampir-like sheath mouth is odd; when I saw the first pic, in the sheath, I thought it was a handguard on the sword.

[derek]

If the straight edge is sharp I would be inclined to say Indonesian.
-d

[tom hyle]

It may not help, but doesn't this bone hilt resemble a noncarved one we discussed on the old forum, on a sabre-ish sword, and, as I recall, never figured out for sure? Anyone have a better memory?

[Craig Johnson]

Here is some more info I forgot to put in the first post.

the total length is 71 cm
grip is 16 cm
blade is 47.8 cm
Scabbard is 55 cm and has a dragon or lizzard motife
Hilt seems to be of bone.

Derek that is the part of the world I was thinking as well though the grip seems to remind me of something I have seen else where and I just can't remember where.

Craig

[Conogre]

Sweet looking sword, and honestly, a new one to me.
My impression is that it's Japanese or Chinese, with the sharpened edge having a lot of importance.....if the straight side was sharpened, with the curved tip dull or flattenend, it would be similar to a klewang and it could be Indonesian, but I'm guessing that it's the other side, like a sabre.
Very interesting, and with a large amount of bone, very reminiscent of the carved Japanese knives.
Does it even HAVE a sharpened edge, for that matter?
I'm wondering if it's as old as it appears or if it's possibly one of the Chinese pieces artifically aged, something at which they seem to be the undisputed masters currently.
In any case, very nice aquisition.
Mike

[Craig Johnson]

Your guess was correct. I checked with the owner and the sharpened edge is the curved one.

I have a call in to a fellow who is up on Chinese items and maybe able to shine some light but have not heard back from him.

Craig