The Dutch Maréchaussée Sword a.k.a. the Dutch Klewang

Ian · 21st January 2017, 11:45 PM

Here is another one of mine that I posted in an old thread back in 2005. This one is a M1940 Marechausseesabel, as evidenced by:

The typical cut out basket hilt with "shoulders"
The blued blade with varying thickness of edge grind
Bakelite grips to the hilt
Blackened scabbard and brass mounts
There are no makers' marks or armory marks on any part of the sword

According to Pupye and de Stürler Boekwijt, these swords were manufactured in the Netherlands East Indies when supplies of the M1911 Marechausseesabel were no longer available from The Netherlands. An alternative source is provided by Anuk in his post below—namely, these are unmarked Lilly Ames swords from the U.S.

Whatever may be the precise origin of these swords, the example shown fits all the criteria for a M1940 Marechaussesabel.

Also, shown below that are pictures of three swords from the same earlier thread: the M1940 Marechausseesabel, a rehilted version of an unmarked Marechausseesabel/Dutch klewang that may be Japanese work from WWII, and a dated (1922) Indonesian version of the Marechausseesabel made in Tjikeroeh and sporting a hilt of European design.

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Ian · 22nd January 2017, 07:09 PM

Recently, an interesting version of the marechaussee sabel appeared in an online auction. I started another thread specifically to discuss its unusual features and "royal" provenance. In the interests of compelteness of the archive for marachaussee sabels/Dutch klewangs on this site, I am posting the auction pictures again here; however, they should be viewed in conjunction with the discussion on the other thread.

[Note: In a subsequent post here, A. Maisey has suggested that this sword was assembled and etched in the Surakarta Kraton. In his view this is a genuine Surakarta Kraton sword used for ceremonial purposes.]

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Ian · 23rd January 2017, 04:32 AM

Another one to finish recently online is this M1940 marechaussee sabel. It was described as a M1942 Dutch klewang with the blade made by Lilly Ames. The handle scales are Bakelite and the blade shows a varying edge grind width but is unmarked. According to Puype and de Stürler Boekwijt, the unmarked M1940 versions were made in the NEI and had blackened brass fittings on the scabbard. This scabbard also lacks the two staples to secure the chape and may not be original to the sword. There appears to have been a break in the distal part of the blade that has been repaired.

Ian · 30th January 2017, 04:15 AM

Typical Bakelite handle, variable edge grind, Dutch scabbard with blackened brass fittings.

-----------------Attachment-----------------
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Dajak · 30th January 2017, 02:43 PM

Hi Ian it is nice you like this stuf I do have an other one that came with the Uniform from the marchausse from Indie, they told me that p.v. was field police but I am not sure....

Dajak

Ian · 30th January 2017, 03:14 PM

Thanks Dajak. Nice M1911 example. I like that you have the field uniform jacket with all its patches and the owners medal ribbons. The shoulder patch clearly shows Marechaussee.

Perhaps Amuk can translate what PV and the numbers mean on the brass plate.

Ian.

Ian · 30th January 2017, 05:01 PM

This M1911 Marechaussee sabel has been modified during the Japanese occupation of the NEI by cutting down the blade, removing the basket hilt, and shortening the scabbard to create a heiho. This was used as a jungle knife or machete by the Japanese occupying army.

-----------------Attachments--Heiho-------------------
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Amuk Murugul · 4th February 2017, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Thanks Dajak. Nice M1911 example. I like that you have the field uniform jacket with all its patches and the owners medal ribbons. The shoulder patch clearly shows Marechaussee.

Perhaps Amuk can translate what PV and the numbers mean on the brass plate.

Ian.

Hullo Ian,

P.V.= Soematera west-coast, regional police (veldpolitie)
445= weapon no.

Best,

P.S. BTW, I just noticed, on your post #15; to me the sheath looks USA-made under the Netherlands 1940 Contract (with limper leather and larger rivets) and the fittings blackened to meet USN(avy),BuOrd 10/10/41. My apologies for contradicting you.

22nd January 2017, 07:09 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Recently, an interesting version of the marechaussee sabel appeared in an online auction. I started another thread specifically to discuss its unusual features and "royal" provenance. In the interests of compelteness of the archive for marachaussee sabels/Dutch klewangs on this site, I am posting the auction pictures again here; however, they should be viewed in conjunction with the discussion on the other thread. [Note: In a subsequent post here, A. Maisey has suggested that this sword was assembled and etched in the Surakarta Kraton. In his view this is a genuine Surakarta Kraton sword used for ceremonial purposes.] --------------------------- Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 24th January 2017 at 01:05 AM.

23rd January 2017, 04:32 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Another M1940 Another one to finish recently online is this M1940 marechaussee sabel. It was described as a M1942 Dutch klewang with the blade made by Lilly Ames. The handle scales are Bakelite and the blade shows a varying edge grind width but is unmarked. According to Puype and de Stürler Boekwijt, the unmarked M1940 versions were made in the NEI and had blackened brass fittings on the scabbard. This scabbard also lacks the two staples to secure the chape and may not be original to the sword. There appears to have been a break in the distal part of the blade that has been repaired. Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 24th January 2017 at 01:09 AM.

30th January 2017, 04:15 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	And another M1940 Typical Bakelite handle, variable edge grind, Dutch scabbard with blackened brass fittings. -----------------Attachment----------------- . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 30th January 2017 at 05:03 PM.

30th January 2017, 02:43 PM	#5
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Field police Hi Ian it is nice you like this stuf I do have an other one that came with the Uniform from the marchausse from Indie, they told me that p.v. was field police but I am not sure.... Dajak Attached Images

30th January 2017, 05:01 PM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Modified M1911 Marechausseesabel--Japanese heiho This M1911 Marechaussee sabel has been modified during the Japanese occupation of the NEI by cutting down the blade, removing the basket hilt, and shortening the scabbard to create a heiho. This was used as a jungle knife or machete by the Japanese occupying army. -----------------Attachments--Heiho------------------- . Attached Images

21st January 2017, 11:45 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Here is another one of mine that I posted in an old thread back in 2005. This one is a M1940 Marechausseesabel, as evidenced by: The typical cut out basket hilt with "shoulders" The blued blade with varying thickness of edge grind Bakelite grips to the hilt Blackened scabbard and brass mounts There are no makers' marks or armory marks on any part of the sword According to Pupye and de Stürler Boekwijt, these swords were manufactured in the Netherlands East Indies when supplies of the M1911 Marechausseesabel were no longer available from The Netherlands. An alternative source is provided by Anuk in his post below—namely, these are unmarked Lilly Ames swords from the U.S. Whatever may be the precise origin of these swords, the example shown fits all the criteria for a M1940 Marechaussesabel. Also, shown below that are pictures of three swords from the same earlier thread: the M1940 Marechausseesabel, a rehilted version of an unmarked Marechausseesabel/Dutch klewang that may be Japanese work from WWII, and a dated (1922) Indonesian version of the Marechausseesabel made in Tjikeroeh and sporting a hilt of European design. --------------------------- Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 30th January 2017 at 03:17 PM.

30th January 2017, 03:14 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Thanks Dajak. Nice M1911 example. I like that you have the field uniform jacket with all its patches and the owners medal ribbons. The shoulder patch clearly shows Marechaussee. Perhaps Amuk can translate what PV and the numbers mean on the brass plate. Ian.