Unknown sword, help needed!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

I agree that this seems to be the type of blade which was widely traded throughout the eastern archipelago. I'm not sure we can narrow its origin down to Flores since the base and the pommel seem to be quite unusual.

Hello Kai,

thank you for comment! I agree with you that this blade style was traded and possible still traded throughout the eastern archipelago. My guess would be that this sword could come from a small group of native poeple like the Togutil on Halmahera (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Togutil_people) or for example the Nuaulu on Ceram (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuaulu) and they have fitted a trade blade in their own way. We will maybe never be able to pin down the exact origin of this sword. This blade style is still common, see for example here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=semarang In recent times worked from spring steel of course.

Regards,
Detlef