A spanish-mexican type large bowie knife ?

[Jim McDougall]

This interesting sword is of course IMO, a machete, and while the only thing about it that brings to mind the famed Bowie knife, is the distinct clipped point. The Bowie knife, became a prototype for heavy bladed knives across American frontiers through the 19th c. and naturally had profound influences on Mexican knives of these types. Naturally it was the presumed knife form that was the influence, not Jim Bowie himself.

There is not a real consensus on what the original 'Bowie' knife looked like, but later versions created the form we are most familiar with, having clipped point false edge blade, various hand guards etc.

I think the Indonesian potential for this weapon, as proposed, is most compelling, despite the distinctly Mexican looking hilt, and TJIKEROE is the most plausible explanation for the abbreviated letters at the forte. As shown, the blade has distinct characteristics of the Dutch 'klewang', the military versions as 'cutlasses' used well into the 20th c.
Note the blocked forte and the distinct fuller.

As noted, the Dutch VOC was defunct in 1799, and the British controlled Dutch regions until 1814. Dutch trade of course continued and there was strong commemorative posture regarding the long standing presence of the VOC (Shaver Kool )

Adding to speculation already in place, there is always the possible cross diffusion of a Dutch blade in Mexican hilt through the ever present complexity of trade, particularly in Philippines with the clearly strong Spanish presence.