Thai Kastane

[kai]

As you are well aware, Islamic blades are found throughout Sumatra and many other SEA countries, the blade appears to be of Islamic form/style.

Yes, but we can't use the likely Ottoman/Arab/Persian/Afghan/Mughal origin of this blade to argue it's origin from SEA, can we? Moreover, imported blades in Viet dressing seem to be Chinese or Thai/Lao/Khmer while blades imported from the western Islamic sphere seem to be rare as hen's teeth. (I can't recall any...)

The hilt appears to me to be a blend of Vietnamese grip and pommel and the guard design of the Hulu meu apet. Attached is a hilt image of my Guom, note the similarities in styles.

I see your point; however, IMHO the similarities are not close enough to support the notion of Viet craftmanship/style: the construction is very different as are the details of decoration. (Guards on Viet swords seem to be either of European or Japanese influence.)

I'd also stipulate that there is not enough similarity to link this guard construction with the very conservative Aceh style. I guess that this hilt variant is more likely a direct descendant of Indian/Afghan/Persian/Arab/Ottoman hilts.

Regards,
Kai