Very old beladah belabang
 

Here is a quite old beladah belabang, the sabre of the Malays in South Borneo.
This one has a heavier blade shape than the later ones. The hilt also has a more distinct Borneo look than the ones from the late 1800's which more and more resembled European hilts. Also the vine motif on this blade is quite different than the later ones.
Together with the one Charles posted in this thread
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6191
this is probably one of the earliest versions.

Michael

Great one VVV....surely one of the best I have seen. Thanks for sharing.

Such a beautiful piece. Are these used by muslims?

I see that it very much resembles an ottoman pala, perhaps it was inspired by the ottoman arms?

beautiful piece, michael! is the handle on that banati?

Congratulations Michael.

A very beautifull piece. I really like the carvings on the handle and the floral motifs in the blade!

Maurice

Thanks,

Yes they were carried by the Muslim Malays in the south. They also carried, for instance, local versions of jambiyas. The Dayaks used other kind of swords.
I don't know enough about ottoman arms to answer your question but maybe someone else (like Charles) does?
I don't think it's banati but I will check closer when I am back home again.

Michael