Small rencong or???
 

Just received this small knife. Looks to me as a rencong. The handle is horn. Scabbard is leather with some age. Hand made but well done. Replacement for the original wooden or horn scabbard? Or is it just a letter opener?

Your comments please.

Hi Henk,


I don't know what this is but could it possible be a experimental Dutch-made rencong ment to be issued for Marechaussee or KNIL-troops in Atjeh ? :shrug:
Just a thought however...

regards

Hi klewang,

Nice thought. The leather scabbard has something from the KNIL klewang. It could be something experimental. But the length of it is 8 inches. A bit too small to experiment with it. Or do you mean it could be a miniature prototype?

Hi Henk,

Dispite of its small size i would not like to get stabbed with it, i think it would cause al lot of damage, so perhaps a back-up piece of some sort? I have seen leather scabbards for kerisses as well (don’t know if they were genuine though) . Fact is, Dutch troops did experimented with the use of local weapons in Atjeh, when there own weaponry seemed to be insufficient. It led to the use of the Dutch klewang.
Maybe if you contact the Dutch Army Museum, they can tell you more about this subject.

regards

Hello Henk,

The gas lighter clearly shows the size and with this size handle I would not consider it a weapon.
The blade and handle are shaped like a rentjong, but I think it has been some kind of "trench art" by a soldier stationed in Indonesia.
Maybe someone with access to leather working tools for the scabbard.

More of a letter opener than a weapon. Pretty rare form though :)

best regards,
Willem