Bolo for commentary

[milandro]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello André,

A pic of the full scabbard from both sides might be good. One would possibly need to get a real close look into it to check whether this really was made for this sword or is a later marriage with just a really nice fit.

From the pics, the scabbard is more recent Borneo - it certainly seems post-war. The carving is quite rough and the rattan braiding is typical for many Dayak groups and seen on even later examples.

The sword is from the central Sumatran highlands: possibly Mandailing (the area got devastated during the Padri turmoil and received lots of Minang influence during the 19th century; the later pieces originate from one of the main Sumatran blade manufacturing sites). Hilt and general style of this piece also seem to be post-WW2. Not a common type but some of these do crop up, especially in the Netherlands. (Not all of these have a cross guard. An older example is published in Steel and Magic: #13)

Regards,
Kai

Thanks Kai! your information gave me the possibility to search Mandailing Swords and I found another thread with almost identical swords (albeit even finer in quality than mine) no scabbard there.


http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5089


Searching further using this term I came across the term Piso Sanalenggam which looks different in terms of hilt and doesn't show engravings on the blade but the shape of the blade looks the same.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6928

[Sajen]

Hello André,

Nice old to vintage so called Mandailing klewang found its way in your collection and will look much nicer after a little bit of TLC.
Not much to add to what Kai already has said, scabbard doesn't belong to the sword and the blade shape resembles the piso sanalenggam you have pointed out seemingly already. No great surprise that the blade shape is similar since the Mandailing belong to the Batak ethnos.

Regards,
Detlef

[milandro]

Thank you Detlef , I am very happy about this blade.


What would you suggest to do and how in terms of TLC?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by milandro

Thank you Detlef , I am very happy about this blade.


What would you suggest to do and how in terms of TLC?

Hello André,

The handle I would polish with linseed oil, the wood looks very dry. The oil preserves the wood also for cracking. The wood will get a little bit darker but will look much better. The metal, blade, ferrule and guard I would rub with steel wool to remove the initial rust.
To conserve all you can add with a soft cloth antique wax.

Best regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

PS: The scabbard is something for the spare part box, it doesn't belong to the sword.

[milandro]

thank you for your advise I will certainly take it to heart. 🙏🏼



I am curious to see what an appropriate scabbard would be, not that I think there is any chance that I ever come across one but just out of curiosity.

Another thing is the D guard. It has, on the D guard which is not fixed to the hilt, a mark where, quite obviously would have been a hole to put a screw or a nail to fix the blade in place, nobody did go through with that and the guard was never fixed to the hilt. I have been debating, with myself, whether this would be a good idea or not it really adds nothing to the way you can grip the sword , note that in this thread this similar sword has that screw, also that sword too has no scabbard (at least not one shown in the pictures)

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5089

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by milandro

thank you for your advise I will certainly take it to heart. 🙏🏼

The described TLC receives all what comes to my collection. Oil to all natural materials gives them back the "oily wetness" (I don't know to describe it better) they have lost in time. And rust is to be avoided, corrosion is active and dangerous.

Originally Posted by milandro

I am curious to see what an appropriate scabbard would be, not that I think there is any chance that I ever come across one but just out of curiosity.

I have never seen one!

Originally Posted by milandro

Another thing is the D guard. It has, on the D guard which is not fixed to the hilt, a mark where, quite obviously would have been a hole to put a screw or a nail to fix the blade in place, nobody did go through with that and the guard was never fixed to the hilt. I have been debating, with myself, whether this would be a good idea or not it really adds nothing to the way you can grip the sword , note that in this thread this similar sword has that screw, also that sword too has no scabbard (at least not one shown in the pictures)

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5089

I personally would attach the guard, but not with a screw or nail I will have by hand. It should be something which fits with the style. I think that it is an adequate "restoration".

Regards,
Detlef