A sekin

[kai]

I think it is a sekin for tha base of the blade near the handle (a guard on a side) and for the grooves along the blade too.
The form of weapon and sheat is rather similar to sekin's picture in Stone and Zonneveld's books.

Well, there are more blades with extended&carved base (rencong, etc.) and fancy fullers (quite a few from Sumatra, rarer elsewhere...). Actually, some Batak weapons have similar features but IMVHO yours isn't Batak either.

Have a close look at the extended base of some typical sekin:
I'm attaching pics of a sekin I got from Charles (I hope he doesn't mind me recycling his pics ).

Here's another thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2451

And here are 2 examples from Michael's great collection: http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php

Also note that the fullers are different and that the blade tends to be slender (quite like a rencong).

In Holstein book there is a picture of Sumatran sekin with the same ring around the handle and also the handle is very similar.

Can you send a pic - I don't have that one handy. I assume you mean a ferrule? While all typical sekin I've seen didn't had any I wouldn't be too surprised to find a genuine example with ferrule, especially in a piece for someone of status like yours.

I remember having seen a pic of something resembling your piece - I'll try to locate it again and let you know.

Regards,
Kai