Balato from Nias

[Ian]

Thank you very much Michael for your assistance. "Rare" is a nice word when it comes to swords. Too bad the scabbard seems to be lost.

Ian.

Originally Posted by VVV

Ian,

I looked in a couple of old reference articles and it seems as if your Balato is North Nias.
That explains the lack of "rider" and the uncommon look of your hilt.
North Nias Balatos seems also much more rare than the South Nias version.

Michael