Need sword ID help. Really!

David · 9th September 2006, 09:12 PM

I'll go a step further and suggest that perhaps this sword comes from the Batak region of Sumatra.

Tim Simmons · 9th September 2006, 09:22 PM

I wonder if this sword has a lot more to tell. To me it does not look used, though clearly an old piece. Also in a martial sense it does look a little awkward and the handle could be seen as not 100% functional for fighting. I get the feeling this is very high status, perhaps in a religious way. Could it be some sort of sacrificial sword or other emblem of ceremony.

Rick · 9th September 2006, 10:22 PM

Adni has something fairly similar in form :
http://www.geocities.com/keris4u/oth...atak_lebar.htm

And this hilt style resembles yours :
http://www.geocities.com/keris4u/oth...ak_hatchet.htm

Bill M · 9th September 2006, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Adni has something fairly similar in form :
http://www.geocities.com/keris4u/oth...atak_lebar.htm

And this hilt style resembles yours :
http://www.geocities.com/keris4u/oth...ak_hatchet.htm

Gotta be the last one. A Parang Batak Ulu. Whatever Ulu means.

Adni's more hatchet and has a horn hilt, mine is wood, but otherwise the blade carving near the ferrule, the figure on the hilt. even the hatching on the back of the blade.

This piece and mine must have been made by the same people. I love Batak carving! I have a wonderful singha barong head about four feet tall that once stood guard with its buddy flanking a batak long house entryway.

It is hanging in my solarium against a mirror. I really need to clean the mirror.

David · 10th September 2006, 12:02 AM

The head is marvellous Bill!

i would agree that the dress makers are very likely the same or related, but these are two very different weapons that i would image had different purposes, whether ritual or otherwise, so the term Ulu may or may not also apply to yours. The term may apply to the dress, but i don't think it applies to the blade.

Bill M · 10th September 2006, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

The head is marvellous Bill!

i would agree that the dress makers are very likely the same or related, but these are two very different weapons that i would image had different purposes, whether ritual or otherwise, so the term Ulu may or may not also apply to yours. The term may apply to the dress, but i don't think it applies to the blade.

Hi David,

Certainly the blade shape and probably purpose is different, but the blades have very similar characteristics. The tiny teeth like projections on the cutting edge near the hilts. The possibly talismanic markings on the backs of the blades. Both blades come out the sides of the scabbards.

I'd say that the blades could have been made by the same guy. Certainly the same culture.

Ulu could be "hatchet."

I'd call it a Batak Parang, but I am open to other names and ideas.

katana · 10th September 2006, 12:50 AM

What a lovely carving .....4 foot tall.......fantastic. Love the sword too.
The functional design of the scabbard seems to allow two things......the scabbard mimics the blade almost exactly.....had it been a normal sheath the 'throat' would have to be quite wide, to allow withdrawal.
It also allows a very 'quick draw' with minimal arm movement.

Solarium......solarium...... here in Britain we're lucky if we even see the sun

David · 10th September 2006, 12:54 AM

The other parang on Adni's site also comes out the side of the scabbard and has a shape closer to yours, even thought the choice of dress decoration is different. He refers to that as parang sabit which if i understand his description properly means "top slide" which i suppose refers to the manner in which the blade is removed from the sheath. Maybe if Adni is out there he can shed some light on tese mysteries.

David · 12th September 2006, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

Ulu could be "hatchet."

I suspect that "ulu" is merely a form of the word "hulu" and in this case is perhaps referring to the dress with it's figurative hilt. Just a thought.

Yeah Tim, i would say that the sheath does appear to be a representation of the naga. Not too surprising in this part of the world i suppose. What kind of elaboration were you looking for?

9th September 2006, 09:12 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	I'll go a step further and suggest that perhaps this sword comes from the Batak region of Sumatra.

9th September 2006, 09:22 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,844	I wonder if this sword has a lot more to tell. To me it does not look used, though clearly an old piece. Also in a martial sense it does look a little awkward and the handle could be seen as not 100% functional for fighting. I get the feeling this is very high status, perhaps in a religious way. Could it be some sort of sacrificial sword or other emblem of ceremony.

9th September 2006, 10:22 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Adni has something fairly similar in form : http://www.geocities.com/keris4u/oth...atak_lebar.htm And this hilt style resembles yours : http://www.geocities.com/keris4u/oth...ak_hatchet.htm

10th September 2006, 12:02 AM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	The head is marvellous Bill! i would agree that the dress makers are very likely the same or related, but these are two very different weapons that i would image had different purposes, whether ritual or otherwise, so the term Ulu may or may not also apply to yours. The term may apply to the dress, but i don't think it applies to the blade.

10th September 2006, 12:50 AM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	What a lovely carving .....4 foot tall.......fantastic. Love the sword too. The functional design of the scabbard seems to allow two things......the scabbard mimics the blade almost exactly.....had it been a normal sheath the 'throat' would have to be quite wide, to allow withdrawal. It also allows a very 'quick draw' with minimal arm movement. Solarium......solarium...... here in Britain we're lucky if we even see the sun

10th September 2006, 12:54 AM	#8
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	The other parang on Adni's site also comes out the side of the scabbard and has a shape closer to yours, even thought the choice of dress decoration is different. He refers to that as parang sabit which if i understand his description properly means "top slide" which i suppose refers to the manner in which the blade is removed from the sheath. Maybe if Adni is out there he can shed some light on tese mysteries.