Panjang for discussion

[VVV]

Thanks for your feedback,
I agree with BluErf and I haven't either seen any old picture of a Panjang with a Jawa Demam hilt. But I have seen them on Bahari and Anak Alang.
Actually this one, and my other Panjang with a Jawa Demam,
http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php
are the only ones I have ever seen. But I doubt in these two cases that the dealers, or former collectors, has changed the hilts on those later. This Panjang f.i. comes from the C de Wel collection, who according to my opinion has the best Keris published in the Tammens' trilogy.
I get the feeling that this Keris was more made as a status symbol than actually for use in executions? And probably for someone with his own taste judging by the Greneng?
But that's just my speculations...

I also agree with BluErf's conclusions that the Tapak Kuda is a much more practical hilt for a Keris Penyalang than the Jawa Demam.

Have you noticed that the profile of the blade is slightly arching?

Michael