ID Help Needed

Tim Simmons · 12th December 2006, 08:29 PM

I have pieces that were covered in polyurethane varnish. As long as they have not been painted with oil based paints which your item has not. A commercial varnish remover is okay. Any original organic lacquer should be okay but I would not let the stuff stay on too long on stain wood and the like. I have removed varnish from old blades and the patina of the blade prior to varnishing has always been there.

Robert · 14th December 2006, 12:49 AM

Tim, thank you for the advice on the removal of the coating. I think at this point in time that I will leave it "as is" until I get more information on its age and history. Thank you all again for helping me with this.

Robert

Robert · 15th December 2006, 07:17 AM

OK, here are my next questions. What does anyone think went into the grooves on the scabbard, woven rattan bands or do you think that they are they just there as decoration? I also have some brass sheeting the same thickness as used for the clover shaped decorations on the hilt. Would it be a good idea to replace the missing and broken ones or just leave them as they are?

VVV · 15th December 2006, 07:31 AM

I don't think they used rattan on Sumba.
It's some other fiber material at f.i. the scabbards of the Kabeala of East Sumba.

Michael

PS PM your mail if you want reference pictures.

Robert · 15th December 2006, 07:58 AM

VVV, I have sent a PM to you with my with e-mail address. Thank you for your offer of pictures as they would really help. You used f.i. in your reply and I hate to admit that I do not understand what that means.

Could you please explain? Thank you again for all your help.

Robert

VVV · 15th December 2006, 09:18 AM

f.i. = for instance
You have mail.

Michael

Robert · 15th December 2006, 02:26 PM

Michael, I cannot thank you enough for the pictures. The only real difference that I can see between the two is that the one in the picture you sent has a total of 21 copper and brass bands on the scabbard while mine has a total of 25. Even the clover decorations are broken like mine. Do you know what the hole in the very end of the scabbard was for? Do you know if the peoples of East and West Samba dressed the same or was there a difference in fashion between the two? Again my thanks for your help.

Robert

12th December 2006, 08:29 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	I have pieces that were covered in polyurethane varnish. As long as they have not been painted with oil based paints which your item has not. A commercial varnish remover is okay. Any original organic lacquer should be okay but I would not let the stuff stay on too long on stain wood and the like. I have removed varnish from old blades and the patina of the blade prior to varnishing has always been there.

14th December 2006, 12:49 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Tim, thank you for the advice on the removal of the coating. I think at this point in time that I will leave it "as is" until I get more information on its age and history. Thank you all again for helping me with this. Robert

15th December 2006, 07:17 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	OK, here are my next questions. What does anyone think went into the grooves on the scabbard, woven rattan bands or do you think that they are they just there as decoration? I also have some brass sheeting the same thickness as used for the clover shaped decorations on the hilt. Would it be a good idea to replace the missing and broken ones or just leave them as they are?

15th December 2006, 07:31 AM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	I don't think they used rattan on Sumba. It's some other fiber material at f.i. the scabbards of the Kabeala of East Sumba. Michael PS PM your mail if you want reference pictures.

15th December 2006, 07:58 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	VVV, I have sent a PM to you with my with e-mail address. Thank you for your offer of pictures as they would really help. You used f.i. in your reply and I hate to admit that I do not understand what that means. Could you please explain? Thank you again for all your help. Robert

15th December 2006, 09:18 AM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	f.i. = for instance You have mail. Michael

15th December 2006, 02:26 PM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Michael, I cannot thank you enough for the pictures. The only real difference that I can see between the two is that the one in the picture you sent has a total of 21 copper and brass bands on the scabbard while mine has a total of 25. Even the clover decorations are broken like mine. Do you know what the hole in the very end of the scabbard was for? Do you know if the peoples of East and West Samba dressed the same or was there a difference in fashion between the two? Again my thanks for your help. Robert