Arny,
I found a very interesting article by J.P. Puype and R.J. de Stürler Boekwijt.
De Nederlands-Indische marechausseesabel
Ontstaan en ontwikkeling van de militaire klewang
(The Dutch-Indonesian marechausseesabre) (marechaussee is military police)
(Arise and development of the military klewang)
The military klewang was imported in 1898 and used by the marechaussee. These sabres were German blades (Solingen)
In 1904-1905 the production of the Marechausseesabre in the Artillerie Inrichtingen (A.I.) of the Hembrug factory started. If the Hembrugproduction was able to produce enough and how long import from Solingen was necessary, was not predictable. This armyfactory, who came in the years 1897-1899 to the Hembrug was proud that her blades were comparable with the Solingen products, and even better.
The production of klewangs for the Indonesian and later for the Dutch army was a succes.
In 1905 it was decided to provide the entire infantry of the KNIL with the klewang. the marechausseesabre 1905.
The factorystamp HEMBRUG isn't always present. The origin of those blades is uncertain.
It is possible that German producers until the first worldwar continued producing marechausseesabres for the KNIL. And next to the signed examples also delivered unsigned blades.
Small question, you mentioned that you could practice Dutch. Does that mean you aren't Dutch?
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