Weird sword for comments, pls.

kai · 3rd March 2010, 08:27 PM

I'm sure I saw a very similar sword years(?) ago but can't figure out where I put the pics/data (if any).

It sure is fancy enough to fit with the fantasy depiction of pieces from the Moro weapon plaques.

However, the elephant's face doesn't look Moro (nor Visayan/Luzon) to me - I'd guess at an Indonesian origin: Negara, Sulawesi, Sumatra...

Where's Michael when we need him?

Regards,
Kai

asomotif · 3rd March 2010, 11:29 PM

I would say it might be some Java / Sumatra like thing.

Battara · 4th March 2010, 02:32 AM

Yes I agree with Kai - does not look Philippines at all.

Rick · 4th March 2010, 02:40 AM

What about the three bars at the forte ?
Moro influenced mid Philippine Archipelago, N. Mindanao ??

Anyone ?

Not really getting a Sumatran gestalt here .

VANDOO · 4th March 2010, 03:14 AM

MY BEST GUESS IS STILL PHILIPPINE POST WW2.
BUT WITHOUT MORE INFORMATION ON THE ITEM SIZE, MONO STEEL OR FOLDED, DOES THE HANDLE HAVE A PIN THRU THE TANG, IS THERE A REAL PATINA ON THE HANDLE OR HAS IT BEEN SINGED IN A FIRE?
I THINK IT WAS INSPIRED BY LOOKING AT SWORDS ON A MORO WEAPONS PLACK AND PERHAPS THE MAKER FELT THE SIMI KRIS CARVEING MIGHT LOOK NEAT?. THE WORK APPEARS TO BE CRUDE AND I AM GUESSING MONO STEEL PERHAPS A TRUCK OR JEEP SPRING
IT COULD BE MORE RECENT MANUFACTURE IN INDONESIA BUT MOST OF THOSE I HAVE SEEN IN BALI HAVE BEEN FAIRLY GOOD COPIES OF TRADITIONAL FORMS.
I HAVE SEEN MORE STRANGE CRUDLEY MADE AS WELL AS WELL MADE FORMS RESEMBELING THIS ONE ORIGINATING IN THE PHILIPPINES OVER THE YEARS. AND THE CLOSEST I HAVE SEEN TO IT HAS BEEN ON MORO PLACKS. PERHAPS THE POSTER CAN GIVE US A BIT MORE INFO ON THE ITEM?.

Maurice · 4th March 2010, 08:31 AM

I happen to pick up one yesterday.
This one has a horn handle, decorations of the spine of the blade. Blade is 6 mm thick at the base.

VVV · 4th March 2010, 09:22 AM

Nice one Maurice, I haven't seen it with a guard before.
Here is mine which resembles the one Miguel posted.
I have had it for several years but still not been able to figure
out from where it is.
I agree that it looks Filipino in several ways but the elephant trunk
makes me suspect it to be Sumatran. But then the rest of the blade form
is maybe more like the North Peninsular Malay klewang?
The hilt, without the rest of the blade features, could be Moluccan.

My guess is still Sumatra or Malaysia but I do hope somebody solves
this riddle.

Michael

PS A hint? I found mine in Holland. I assume Maurice did too? And where was the one Miguel posted found?

3rd March 2010, 08:27 PM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	I'm sure I saw a very similar sword years(?) ago but can't figure out where I put the pics/data (if any). It sure is fancy enough to fit with the fantasy depiction of pieces from the Moro weapon plaques. However, the elephant's face doesn't look Moro (nor Visayan/Luzon) to me - I'd guess at an Indonesian origin: Negara, Sulawesi, Sumatra... Where's Michael when we need him? Regards, Kai Last edited by kai; 3rd March 2010 at 08:44 PM.

4th March 2010, 08:31 AM	#6
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,459	Another one! I happen to pick up one yesterday. This one has a horn handle, decorations of the spine of the blade. Blade is 6 mm thick at the base. Attached Images

4th March 2010, 09:22 AM	#7
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Nice one Maurice, I haven't seen it with a guard before. Here is mine which resembles the one Miguel posted. I have had it for several years but still not been able to figure out from where it is. I agree that it looks Filipino in several ways but the elephant trunk makes me suspect it to be Sumatran. But then the rest of the blade form is maybe more like the North Peninsular Malay klewang? The hilt, without the rest of the blade features, could be Moluccan. My guess is still Sumatra or Malaysia but I do hope somebody solves this riddle. Michael PS A hint? I found mine in Holland. I assume Maurice did too? And where was the one Miguel posted found? Attached Images

3rd March 2010, 11:29 PM	#2
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	I would say it might be some Java / Sumatra like thing.

4th March 2010, 02:32 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,325	Yes I agree with Kai - does not look Philippines at all.

4th March 2010, 02:40 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,365	What about the three bars at the forte ? Moro influenced mid Philippine Archipelago, N. Mindanao ?? Anyone ? Not really getting a Sumatran gestalt here .

4th March 2010, 03:14 AM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	MY BEST GUESS IS STILL PHILIPPINE POST WW2. BUT WITHOUT MORE INFORMATION ON THE ITEM SIZE, MONO STEEL OR FOLDED, DOES THE HANDLE HAVE A PIN THRU THE TANG, IS THERE A REAL PATINA ON THE HANDLE OR HAS IT BEEN SINGED IN A FIRE? I THINK IT WAS INSPIRED BY LOOKING AT SWORDS ON A MORO WEAPONS PLACK AND PERHAPS THE MAKER FELT THE SIMI KRIS CARVEING MIGHT LOOK NEAT?. THE WORK APPEARS TO BE CRUDE AND I AM GUESSING MONO STEEL PERHAPS A TRUCK OR JEEP SPRING IT COULD BE MORE RECENT MANUFACTURE IN INDONESIA BUT MOST OF THOSE I HAVE SEEN IN BALI HAVE BEEN FAIRLY GOOD COPIES OF TRADITIONAL FORMS. I HAVE SEEN MORE STRANGE CRUDLEY MADE AS WELL AS WELL MADE FORMS RESEMBELING THIS ONE ORIGINATING IN THE PHILIPPINES OVER THE YEARS. AND THE CLOSEST I HAVE SEEN TO IT HAS BEEN ON MORO PLACKS. PERHAPS THE POSTER CAN GIVE US A BIT MORE INFO ON THE ITEM?.