Rencong for coments
 

I hope the pictures are clear enough for a judgement.
Seller dated this example as from the 18th century, but i doubt. Most examples i see selling in the Net are tagged end 19th century, but i don't have the knowledge to compare them with mine.
I assume this is a real action specimen and not just tourist stuff; the blade is quite strong, the steel looks fine and its spine is rather thick.
Coments will be so much welcome.
Fernando

nice example you have there and it's a 19th century piece for sure.

Congrats

Lew

Very nice Fernando. Lew is right, it's a nice old one. Here is an example of mine, much newer and tourist perhaps. I'm not sure what it says on the blade, but I wouldn't be surprised if it said, Welcome to Sumatra, have a nice day. ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...g/IMG_0354.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...g/IMG_0357.jpg

Thank you very much for your observation and kind coment, Lew.
Thank you Stephen; now i can see a newer one, to compare.
Fernando

Fernando

Btw

Your dagger has a nice laminated blade :) Here is an older one like yours for comparison. Naga I like the beautiful wood on yours :)






Lew

Hello Lew,

Firstly agree that the rencong is (late ?)19th century.

But Lew : Older than Fernando's rencong ? or older than Naga's rencong ?

Best regards,
Willem

Willem


I did not say older than I said older like yours referring to Fernando's piece. I also like the wood on nagas newer piece it has lovely striped grain to it :) .


Lew

Thank you Lew, i will register that :) .
Fenando

Yes some age and corrosion is good to to see the lamination.

some more examples/ Old blades. Top and bottom with clear lamination.

here's mine with green horn grip and scabbard. it's interesting how the internal blade cut out is made from one side & covered by a narrow strip of horn held by the copper bands.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...w/rencong1.jpg

How do they do that?
 

I accidentally dropped this and apparently the bands conceal the joints used in hollowing the sheaths out. Is this horn or a corral material? How can you tell the differences?

Steve

Steve,
Your rencong is quite uncommon.
Most scabbards are from 1 solid piece of wood, indeed hollowed from the back side which is than covered with a strip of wood again.
In some cases so tight that I wondered if there was a strip.
Than I have now one rencong with a scabbard made out of one piece, and also 1 with a scabbard made out of 2 separates sides (left and right)

Buffalo horn scabbards are rare, but IMO more recent and/or made for 'tourist' rencongs.
I have seen a few Hulu dandan rencongs with scabbard mouths made of ivory.

So far my observations.

Although I love these weapons I don't have much documentation on them accept for a free download that came from www.mytribalworld.com

Best regards,
Willem