Nias, Visayan or just strange?
 

Hi all,

Just returned home from a shopping trip to Holland.
Two of the swords I found are quite difficult to place.
This one has a heavy, bevelled blade reminding me of a
Visayan Garab but the hilt looks more Nias (or maybe Batak)?
All comments appreciated.

Michael

A kind collector e-mailed me and told me that this sword is Visayan and a variation of the Talibon as I guessed. The only strange thing is the metal rod that he hadn't seen before. The monitor lizard skin seems also to be a bit unusual as well as the hilt wrap. Maybe a Visayan "independent designer"?

Michael