Identification of an indonesian dagger

A. G. Maisey · 25th July 2006, 09:53 AM

Yes, "sangkuh" is Javanese for "sangkur".

I only knew the Javanese, which is all I`ve ever heard these referred to in Solo, but after I read your post I checked a couple of dictionaries, and sure enough, sangkur is the Indonesian equivalent of sangkuh.

VVV · 22nd December 2006, 04:32 PM

Yesterday I found where I had stowed away my Sangkuh/Sangkur.
I got it several years ago in an auction lot together with several other Indonesian weapons.
At first I didn't feel like keeping it because of the dress. But then I noticed a collection number and thought it was strange that a bayonet blade was mounted as a Keris. And all the other weapons from that collection were interesting. So I decided that it was better to keep it until I found out what it was. Thanks to this thread I did and here is another example.

I also found this combination weapon at eBay and thought it was a Sumatran Kaso.
But now I assume that it's also a Sankuh.

Michael

PS More pictures at http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php

Henk · 23rd December 2006, 11:35 AM

Michael,

The dress for that sangkuh is most unusual. That madurese kerisdress is from the period 1945-1950, made for the dutch soldiers to bring home. Just like the kerisdress with the wrangka as a lying lion with the ukiran in the shape of a woman or man
It means that this sangkuh was used for "tourist"-trading purposes with the dutch soldiers during that period.

VVV · 23rd December 2006, 12:14 PM

Henk,

Thanks for your comments. That's what I suspected and was hesitant to keep this at first when I got it together with the other weapons I really wanted.
But still it was the first Sangkuh I have seen and somehow I found it interesting without knowing what it was.
Maybe it was made as a special order for a Dutch soldier?

Michael

Henk · 23rd December 2006, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

Maybe it was made as a special order for a Dutch soldier?

Yes Michael, that is very good possible. Or it was "a special offer for you my friend. No keris but a special offer for little money"

asomotif · 29th December 2006, 12:14 PM

Hello,

I have an indonesian spear with this triangular shape point.
Looks a lot like this knife, but longer and of course not with a square tang, but a round one.
I will post some pictures once I have made them.

As for this dagger, the markings and square tang are not very javanese or ethnic. But the forging looks very ethnic.
Nice dagger anyway regardless the history.

Best wishes for 2007

Willem

Tim Simmons · 30th December 2006, 09:30 AM

looking at this thread again has made me examine this dagger more closely. Okay it is African, but many of the Mahdist weapons were modeled on Persian forms. When I first post a picture of this a member said they had a Persian example. I wonder if these all relate to common origin? Looking at the blade there is a round bar tang forged from the forte as in the drawing. I am now of the opinion that this is not a converted bayonet. I do not think the guard is important in relation to the blade. To me there seems clear links in form and decorative methods that are more than coincidental. Any opinions?

25th July 2006, 09:53 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Yes, "sangkuh" is Javanese for "sangkur". I only knew the Javanese, which is all I`ve ever heard these referred to in Solo, but after I read your post I checked a couple of dictionaries, and sure enough, sangkur is the Indonesian equivalent of sangkuh. Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 25th July 2006 at 01:38 PM.

22nd December 2006, 04:32 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Yesterday I found where I had stowed away my Sangkuh/Sangkur. I got it several years ago in an auction lot together with several other Indonesian weapons. At first I didn't feel like keeping it because of the dress. But then I noticed a collection number and thought it was strange that a bayonet blade was mounted as a Keris. And all the other weapons from that collection were interesting. So I decided that it was better to keep it until I found out what it was. Thanks to this thread I did and here is another example. I also found this combination weapon at eBay and thought it was a Sumatran Kaso. But now I assume that it's also a Sankuh. Michael PS More pictures at http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php Attached Images

30th December 2006, 09:30 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Not a bayonet looking at this thread again has made me examine this dagger more closely. Okay it is African, but many of the Mahdist weapons were modeled on Persian forms. When I first post a picture of this a member said they had a Persian example. I wonder if these all relate to common origin? Looking at the blade there is a round bar tang forged from the forte as in the drawing. I am now of the opinion that this is not a converted bayonet. I do not think the guard is important in relation to the blade. To me there seems clear links in form and decorative methods that are more than coincidental. Any opinions? Attached Images

23rd December 2006, 11:35 AM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Michael, The dress for that sangkuh is most unusual. That madurese kerisdress is from the period 1945-1950, made for the dutch soldiers to bring home. Just like the kerisdress with the wrangka as a lying lion with the ukiran in the shape of a woman or man It means that this sangkuh was used for "tourist"-trading purposes with the dutch soldiers during that period.

23rd December 2006, 12:14 PM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Henk, Thanks for your comments. That's what I suspected and was hesitant to keep this at first when I got it together with the other weapons I really wanted. But still it was the first Sangkuh I have seen and somehow I found it interesting without knowing what it was. Maybe it was made as a special order for a Dutch soldier? Michael

29th December 2006, 12:14 PM	#6
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	Hello, I have an indonesian spear with this triangular shape point. Looks a lot like this knife, but longer and of course not with a square tang, but a round one. I will post some pictures once I have made them. As for this dagger, the markings and square tang are not very javanese or ethnic. But the forging looks very ethnic. Nice dagger anyway regardless the history. Best wishes for 2007 Willem