Another one for identification, please
 

Possibly Sumatra (from the style and materials of the scabbard), similar in shape to a pichangatti, perhaps a type of wedung? 38 cm out of its sheath. The base of the blade decorated with indentations similar to greneng on a keris blade, horn hilt, the foot of the sheath and the top of the mouthpiece each with a plain thick plate of copper.

Congrats, that's a sweet one!

It doesn't look like Aceh (Garo/Alas) work to me nor does it seem to have the usual Batak features (e. g. those filed silver rings at the top and the foot of the scabbard instead of the traditional braided silver wire). Minang or Palembang/Lampung don't seem to fit that well either - I'm stumped...

It does have a wedung feel to it. However, at least the Palembang kraton is on record for much more faithfully copying central Javanese style.

I wonder why the blade has a rather coarse finish without any obvious 3D features. What is the maximum thickness? Etch it!

Judging from patina/etc., how old would you estimate the horn hilt and the scabbard to be? From the pics, I get the impression that this may be a bit later work: possibly WW2 period?

Regards,
Kai

Wow, very nice knife, never seen something similar before. My first guess would have been Batak origin. The different metals at the sheath give me this "feeling". Is the cap at the handle from gold?

Regards,

Detlef

I like this piece with all the silver, and yes, gold..........

Thank you all very much for your comments.

Kai - the coarse finish of the blade puzzled me, too. I tentatively thought mid-20th cent. for the date - which makes me wonder whether it is a 'real' weapon, or a tourist piece. The maximum thickness of the blade, at the base, is 7 mm, narowing very gradually to about 4 mm before it slopes down to the tip - quite a heavy blade. If I knew how to etch the blade I would probably try it, but I am very nervous about trying anything, and possibly causing damage.
Sajen, and Battara, yes, the little cap is gold.

Hello,

If we agree on approx. mid-20th c., this would explain the not fully traditional workmanship (also on the scabbard) and also may open up possibilities which I excluded below. Maybe not tourist/fantasy bur rather for ceremonial use, hopefully.

Since there is no patina (except on the bolster and ferrule), there is nothing which can't be reversed after a quick etch: in this case I'd suggest wiping the blade only with FeCl3 or, preferably, warangan treatment (the latter is more gentle but needs more experience).

Will get you some links later...

Regards,
Kai

I also think it's a Wedung variant.
Although it's not overly like my two Wedung:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13914

It's got strong similarites to other knives I've seen described as Wedung on the net.

A bit like this one then.

I have had this a long time. Always thought that it was from Java, but I wouldn't call it a Wedong. For me it is too small and not solid or heavy enough.
Interesting to see one with the pommel cap. Mine must have been lost or prized off for the value of the metal.

Your's is only the second of it's type that I have seen.

Regards
Roy

Interesting knife,

I have never seen any of those before, either IRL or in any Indonesian reference works?

Michael

Bingo, Roy, that seems to suggest a pattern rather than a one-off!

Very similar indeed, down to the scabbard and the file-worked silver bands (please post close-ups!). How do the bottom and the top of the scabbard look like - done in silver this time?

From the looks I'd guess that your's may also come from a similar period (perhaps a tad earlier into 20th c.?); so, the jury may be still out how any antique version may have looked.

Thanks so much for posting both of these enigmas!

Regards,
Kai