Really!?? I had no idea. Willem, yet again you blow my sword-loving mind!
-thanks mate!
Then maybe you - or somebody else - can also answer me this too, now that we're talking BB's/PN's: Howcome we only see these attributed to the Malays of South Kalimantan/Banjar area? Why wasn't it adopted by Malays in other areas? I mean the culture as such, was pretty expansive, right?
Also, what did it originate from? I've often heard that the design is inspired by the Dutch naval cutlass of the period. Pardon me, but I don't think they are all that similar. Is this connection proven somewhere?
Also, I haven't anywhere - in online museum collections or elsewhere - been able to find period photos of Malays carrying these? I would simply love to see some!
Hope somebody can help.
Best wishes, - Thor