Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 24th July 2016, 05:58 PM   #1
Rafngard
Member
 
Rafngard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 321
Default A Cockatoo headed badik tumbuk lada

Hello All,

I recently acquired this and hoped my fellow forumites might be able to tell me more about it.

I read somewhere that this type comes from central Sumatra, and the form shows some Batak influence, but I'm not sure how reliable this is. The handle and scabbard I think are of wonderfully carved bone and the fittings seem to be nicely (embossed?) copper.

The blade has some form of calligraphy on it. I have no idea what language it might be nor what it says and would love if someone could read it.

I also haven't the foggiest idea on age, and would greatly appreciate any thoughts on it.

Overall, the whole thing looks remarkably similar to Kronckew's here. Mine has an extra band on the scabbard and the fittings are of a different metal.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...38&postcount=8

As always, and and all comments or corrections would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Leif
Attached Images
            

Last edited by Rafngard; 24th July 2016 at 07:15 PM.
Rafngard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24th July 2016, 06:04 PM   #2
Rafngard
Member
 
Rafngard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 321
Default More photos, mostly of the blade

I tried to get the calligraphy, but I'm not sure how legible it is.
Attached Images
         
Rafngard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24th July 2016, 06:13 PM   #3
Rick
Vikingsword Staff
 
Rick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,258
Default

I'm suspicious of the hilt and scabbard material; I think I can see casting voids in the handle especially.
I don't think this is very old.

Hope I'm wrong..
Rick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24th July 2016, 06:39 PM   #4
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,407
Default

Hello Leif,

I am nearly sure that Rick is correct, have handled some similar ones over the years, scabbard and handle are casted from a to me unknown material, cheap artifical aged blade. Very sorry to tell you the true, hope it was not expensive.

Best regards,
Detlef
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24th July 2016, 07:16 PM   #5
kronckew
Member
 
kronckew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,145
Default

I have one very much like it in my junk drawer -was touted as 'bone' grip & scabbard. I think it's more likely a hard plastic. mine was a bit better cast. the blade, also with calligraphy is not of the best quality either. cheap tho.
kronckew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24th July 2016, 07:19 PM   #6
Rafngard
Member
 
Rafngard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 321
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen
Very sorry to tell you the true, hope it was not expensive.
Oh well, to quote Kurt Vonnegut, so it goes.

Fortunately, I did not pay much for it. So little in fact that I almost felt bad for the seller.
I feel less bad now.

Do you think the same is true of Kronckew's in the linked thread above?

If in fact you and Rick are correct, I think this is probably of an older generation of these, and not the current ones coming out of Borneo and sold all over ebay. I actually have one of these from Borneo and they are of significantly lower quality. I'm including a side by side pic.

Have fun,
Leif
Attached Images
 
Rafngard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24th July 2016, 07:37 PM   #7
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,407
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rafngard
Do you think the same is true of Kronckew's in the linked thread above?

If in fact you and Rick are correct, I think this is probably of an older generation of these, and not the current ones coming out of Borneo and sold all over ebay. I actually have one of these from Borneo and they are of significantly lower quality. I'm including a side by side pic.
1.Yes, think Kronckew has confirmed already in up. 2.This style of tourist sewars I know already long, so there will be also older examples.

Best regards,
Detlef
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24th July 2016, 07:47 PM   #8
Rafngard
Member
 
Rafngard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 321
Default

Thank you all for your responses, even if they were not what I wanted to hear.

Hopefully, some other collector in the future will see this and choose not buy a similar item.

Thanks,
Leif
Rafngard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25th July 2016, 08:58 AM   #9
kronckew
Member
 
kronckew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,145
Default

just to complete the set: had mine for at least 6 years now.
live & learn.

pic from that earlier thread.
Attached Images
 
kronckew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25th July 2016, 11:03 AM   #10
mariusgmioc
Member
 
mariusgmioc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Austria
Posts: 1,860
Default

It is a supposedly Indonesian Sewar... but I have just seen very similar ones sold on eBay for peanuts, and they all come from Malaysia.

I had a very similar one that I sold, but mine was definitely of carved wood, as it was rather old (about 20 years or so).

mariusgmioc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25th July 2016, 05:53 PM   #11
VANDOO
(deceased)
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
Posts: 3,138
Smile

I SUPPOSE THIS COULD BE REFERRED TO AS GETTING THE BIRD. I OF COURSE HAVE ONE IN MY ETHNOGRAPHIC REPO BIN AS WELL. IF I THINK OF THEM LIKE I WAS STILL IN MY EARLY TEENS I CAN STILL THINK THEY ARE KIND OF COOL.
VANDOO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26th July 2016, 06:59 PM   #12
David
Keris forum moderator
 
David's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,012
Default

Frankly i am immediately suspicious of any Indonesian blade with etched phrases (usually from the Quran) on the blade.
David is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26th July 2016, 07:54 PM   #13
kronckew
Member
 
kronckew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,145
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by David
Frankly i am immediately suspicious of any Indonesian blade with etched phrases (usually from the Quran) on the blade.

location, location, location...they were quite popular with the mahdi's supporters in the sudan.
kronckew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26th July 2016, 08:08 PM   #14
Rafngard
Member
 
Rafngard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 321
Default

I forget who said it initially, but I've read here, more than once, that "experience is expensive."

I'm glad mine wasn't horribly so.

Have fun,
Leif
Rafngard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th July 2016, 12:05 AM   #15
A. G. Maisey
Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,675
Default

Yeah, experience costs, but as you point out, not always a lot of money.

My favourite comment along these lines is:-

all education costs money.
A. G. Maisey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th July 2016, 03:16 AM   #16
Rafngard
Member
 
Rafngard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 321
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey
My favourite comment along these lines is:-

all education costs money.
That is one of the truest statements I've ever read. I kind of want to send it to some of my old economics professors.

Thanks,
Leif
Rafngard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31st July 2016, 07:31 PM   #17
Green
Member
 
Green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 307
Default

"I have no idea what language it might be nor what it says and would love if someone could read it."


it's a repitition of Allahu akbar
Green is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31st July 2016, 08:38 PM   #18
Rick
Vikingsword Staff
 
Rick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,258
Talking

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rafngard
I forget who said it initially, but I've read here, more than once, that "experience is expensive."

I'm glad mine wasn't horribly so.

Have fun,
Leif
So are typos.
I misplaced the decimal point on an ebay tulwar bid .. once!
Of course I won the item but the price.
Rick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 31st July 2016, 11:50 PM   #19
A. G. Maisey
Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,675
Default

Bet you learnt to type real good after that Rick.

Education.
A. G. Maisey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1st August 2016, 02:22 AM   #20
Rafngard
Member
 
Rafngard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 321
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick
I misplaced the decimal point on an ebay tulwar bid
...any related future nightmares I have are now your fault.

Have "fun,"
Leif
Rafngard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd August 2016, 05:53 PM   #21
David
Keris forum moderator
 
David's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,012
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey
Bet you learnt to type real good after that Rick.

Education.
No Alan, he learned to type really well.
David is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd August 2016, 11:19 PM   #22
A. G. Maisey
Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,675
Default

Yes David, I'm sure he did learn to type really well, in addition to learning to type real good.

I guess this is me in my redneck personna.
A. G. Maisey is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.