Hello Erik,
A really intriguing sword!
Quote:
I recently got this small sword (blade is 40cm).
It originates from a weapons collection (both European and Ethnographic) that was collected before 1940. I was able to acquire some items.
My guess is Sumatra - possibly a Batak Andar Andar with a variation hilt - sukul jering. The handle is horn.
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I'm fairly sure that this piece is not Batak: the blade doesn't show the narrowing base typical for shorter Batak swords (including the andar andar) and also the hilt doesn't look like a sukul jering variation to me (flared base, carving style, no eyes which ornate sukul jering always? exhibit).
I believe this originates from some Sumatran Muslim group, probably East coast rather than Aceh. The blade has keris-like base features like the pedang type 3 example shown in AvZ and the hilt also seems to be kinda intermediate between a pedang hilt and a hulu iku mie.
The laminated blade seems substantial and genuine - would love to see it etched!
Regards,
Kai