Sundang with an Interesting Mark on the Scabbard

drac2k · 6th November 2019, 09:45 PM

I recently acquired this Sundang. The scabbard had tape holding it together, so while I was removing it I found this interesting mark of an anchor running through 2 caduceus staffs. I am guessing that some U.S. Navy Medical Officer picked this up and marked it with the anchor. Could one determine the age of the sword by identifying the time period that this particular stamp was used?

Battara · 7th November 2019, 01:22 AM

Interesting Maguindanao kris/sundang.

I have seen some scabbards made of used wood, even with sea worm holes in them. Here this looks like some scrap from a European ship and reused for a scabbard.

drac2k · 7th November 2019, 02:00 AM

Thanks for your comments. I thought that the stamp might have been placed on the scabbard afterward because it is on a rounded edge which would have been removed(the stamp), had it been there before they shaped the sheath.

Rick · 7th November 2019, 04:32 AM

The marking appears to be burnt into the wood.
I have not been able to find an anchor device with a caduceus wrapped around the stock as this one is.
It also looks like multiple impressions.

Kubur · 7th November 2019, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

The marking appears to be burnt into the wood.
I have not been able to find an anchor device with a caduceus wrapped around the stock as this one is.
It also looks like multiple impressions.

Hi
This is not a caduceus but a rope.
It was stamped twice.
I saw this sign a the back of Chinese ceramics for the East India company but i dont remember where...
To me it's a good sign of age... really cool...

drac2k · 7th November 2019, 03:05 PM

Great different perspectives!

Rick · 7th November 2019, 04:33 PM

Interesting indeed.

Most fouled anchor devices have the shank and flukes entwined along with the stock.
What is the size of the impression?

drac2k · 7th November 2019, 05:13 PM

7/8" x 3/8"

drac2k · 7th November 2019, 10:04 PM

This picture somewhat looks like the one on the scabbard.

Rick · 7th November 2019, 10:21 PM

That could be the right insignia.
Since I have an overactive imagination I'll guess that the emblem was burned into the wood with a red hot uniform button.

drac2k · 8th November 2019, 03:18 AM

Anything is possible, maybe even probable.

CharlesS · 8th November 2019, 01:37 PM

I'm just wondering if it might be a WW2 Japanese navy stamp that would have been marking it as a trophy or being shipped back to Japan.

Machetero · 11th November 2019, 11:50 AM

My money is on Drac and Rick.
Looks like a vague imprint of a US Navy Corpsman's button.
To me, it sure looks like a button like this was heated and used as a primitive stamp, twice.

6th November 2019, 09:45 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	Sundang with an Interesting Mark on the Scabbard I recently acquired this Sundang. The scabbard had tape holding it together, so while I was removing it I found this interesting mark of an anchor running through 2 caduceus staffs. I am guessing that some U.S. Navy Medical Officer picked this up and marked it with the anchor. Could one determine the age of the sword by identifying the time period that this particular stamp was used? Attached Images

7th November 2019, 10:04 PM	#9
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	This picture somewhat looks like the one on the scabbard. Attached Images

7th November 2019, 10:21 PM	#10
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Talisman That could be the right insignia. Since I have an overactive imagination I'll guess that the emblem was burned into the wood with a red hot uniform button.

11th November 2019, 11:50 AM	#13
Machetero Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 12	My money is on Drac and Rick. Looks like a vague imprint of a US Navy Corpsman's button. To me, it sure looks like a button like this was heated and used as a primitive stamp, twice. Attached Images

7th November 2019, 01:22 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Interesting Maguindanao kris/sundang. I have seen some scabbards made of used wood, even with sea worm holes in them. Here this looks like some scrap from a European ship and reused for a scabbard.

7th November 2019, 02:00 AM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	Thanks for your comments. I thought that the stamp might have been placed on the scabbard afterward because it is on a rounded edge which would have been removed(the stamp), had it been there before they shaped the sheath.

7th November 2019, 04:32 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	The marking appears to be burnt into the wood. I have not been able to find an anchor device with a caduceus wrapped around the stock as this one is. It also looks like multiple impressions.

7th November 2019, 03:05 PM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	Great different perspectives!

7th November 2019, 04:33 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Interesting indeed. Most fouled anchor devices have the shank and flukes entwined along with the stock. What is the size of the impression?

7th November 2019, 05:13 PM	#8
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	7/8" x 3/8"

8th November 2019, 03:18 AM	#11
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	Anything is possible, maybe even probable.

8th November 2019, 01:37 PM	#12
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	I'm just wondering if it might be a WW2 Japanese navy stamp that would have been marking it as a trophy or being shipped back to Japan.