A Lovely and Interesting Malay Sword

Ian · 3rd July 2017, 02:06 AM

Charles, when I first looked at the pics I thought, like you, that there may be an Indian influence. That, in turn, made me think of Singapore where there is a large Indian ex-pat population (almost 10% counting permanent residents--mostly Tamils, with Tamil as the nation's third official language along with English and Mandarin). Given subsequent comments about the hilt and a possible Singapore link, I think we are getting close.

Ian

CharlesS · 3rd July 2017, 11:22 AM

I agree Ian, and good point!

Lee · 3rd July 2017, 12:09 PM

An incredibly handsome sword. I believe the striking pamor is arising from a moderately fine laminated construction with the layers lying nearly parallel to the flats of the blade.

Victrix · 3rd July 2017, 05:11 PM

Interesting link how Singapore allegedly got its name:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sang_Nila_Utama

But the lion may have been a tiger? Apparently, lions never populated Singapore. The last tiger was allegedly shot in the Billiard Room and Bar at the Raffles hotel.

Also there seem to be links between India and Malay culture? Interesting.

Gavin Nugent · 4th July 2017, 10:40 AM

It's a striking sword Charles.

Personally, at face value with the images presented, I would say this is a composite piece with consideration to the pommel, my guess is that was once a horn pommel, however, stranger things have happened... Perhaps clear crisp union images from all four sides would clear it up???

As for origin, I'd say more from Sumatra.

Gavin

3rd July 2017, 02:06 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Charles, when I first looked at the pics I thought, like you, that there may be an Indian influence. That, in turn, made me think of Singapore where there is a large Indian ex-pat population (almost 10% counting permanent residents--mostly Tamils, with Tamil as the nation's third official language along with English and Mandarin). Given subsequent comments about the hilt and a possible Singapore link, I think we are getting close. Ian Last edited by Ian; 3rd July 2017 at 02:19 AM.

4th July 2017, 10:40 AM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	It's a striking sword Charles. Personally, at face value with the images presented, I would say this is a composite piece with consideration to the pommel, my guess is that was once a horn pommel, however, stranger things have happened... Perhaps clear crisp union images from all four sides would clear it up??? As for origin, I'd say more from Sumatra. Gavin Last edited by Gavin Nugent; 4th July 2017 at 11:30 AM.

3rd July 2017, 11:22 AM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	I agree Ian, and good point!

3rd July 2017, 12:09 PM	#3
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	An incredibly handsome sword. I believe the striking pamor is arising from a moderately fine laminated construction with the layers lying nearly parallel to the flats of the blade.

3rd July 2017, 05:11 PM	#4
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 755	Interesting link how Singapore allegedly got its name: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sang_Nila_Utama But the lion may have been a tiger? Apparently, lions never populated Singapore. The last tiger was allegedly shot in the Billiard Room and Bar at the Raffles hotel. Also there seem to be links between India and Malay culture? Interesting.