Nias sword with brass handle for sharing and discussion

Peter B. · 9th November 2023, 07:00 PM

Hello Detlef,

you have bought a very nice and interesting sword. The metal handle is a rarity.

But what kind of metal is "mamas"? I tried to translate it into German, the result was "Mamas".
Hope you can help me.

Best regards from Berlin
Peter

Sajen · 9th November 2023, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter B.

you have bought a very nice and interesting sword. The metal handle is a rarity.

But what kind of metal is "mamas"? I tried to translate it into German, the result was "Mamas".
Hope you can help me.

Hello Peter, thank you.

Mamas is nickel based white metal similar to German silver, very common in Indonesia.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 10th November 2023, 04:02 AM

Sajen,

I'll add my voice to those who congratulated you on a very fine sword. There is a lot of "rustic" character in the sword itself. I particularly like the brass hilt, which seems to have some age judging from how the designs have worn from handling over the years. The blade similarly looks old and you noted a nice patina. Just from these pictures, the sword looks to be at least 19th C. in manufacture, although the scabbard might well be later. Very nice.

Ian.

kai · 11th November 2023, 10:00 PM

Congrats, Detlef, a very nice sword!

The hilt does look legit: While age is often easier to fake with metal pieces, this looks good to me; I'd estimate it and the blade as being antique, indeed. Scabbard is a later replacement (post WWII) as shown by carving quality and materials.

These more slender swords were either worn as EDC single blade/tool or as a secondary sword behind the main/heavier sword (akin to samurai usage). For all Nias blades, their stylistic details including names and local attribution need much more research as already indicated.

BTW, most extant Nias swords with balls originate from the post-headhunting days. Dutch and German missionaries were very active on Nias in eradicating old traditions during the 19th century (first in the North, later in the South); most Nias blades on the market are from the second half of the 20th century; older examples usually originate from the late colonial period (roughly turn of the century up to WWII). As with all Indonesian blades, most older pieces do originate from Dutch or British colonial sources and hardly anything can be inferred from the current owners place of living.

Regards,
Kai

Bob A · 12th November 2023, 04:53 PM

A fascinating sword, for sure. Congratulations on an interesting, even exotic, find.

I don't recall any other examples of swords from the area with brass hilts . . . if others here have links to such swords, I'd be delighted to see and learn more about the subject.

kai · 12th November 2023, 10:35 PM

Hello Bob,

Quote:

I don't recall any other examples of swords from the area with brass hilts

Brass hilts are much more common with the smaller Nias blades, especially the Si Euli. Detlef's piece has a fairly slender hilt.

Larger hilts get really heavy and result in non-functional swords. I'd guess that the one in the linked thread is too heavy and messes up the sword's balance.

Regards,
Kai

Bob A · 12th November 2023, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Bob,

Brass hilts are much more common with the smaller Nias blades, especially the Si Euli. Detlef's piece has a fairly slender hilt.

Larger hilts get really heavy and result in non-functional swords. I'd guess that the one in the linked thread is too heavy and messes up the sword's balance.

Regards,
Kai

Thank you!

Sajen · 13th November 2023, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Congrats, Detlef, a very nice sword!

The hilt does look legit: While age is often easier to fake with metal pieces, this looks good to me; I'd estimate it and the blade as being antique, indeed. Scabbard is a later replacement (post WWII) as shown by carving quality and materials.

These more slender swords were either worn as EDC single blade/tool or as a secondary sword behind the main/heavier sword (akin to samurai usage). For all Nias blades, their stylistic details including names and local attribution need much more research as already indicated.

Hello Kai,

Thank you!

I agree with your age estimation. I have attached a picture which shows how these slender swords are worn.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 13th November 2023, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

I'll add my voice to those who congratulated you on a very fine sword. There is a lot of "rustic" character in the sword itself. I particularly like the brass hilt, which seems to have some age judging from how the designs have worn from handling over the years. The blade similarly looks old and you noted a nice patina. Just from these pictures, the sword looks to be at least 19th C. in manufacture, although the scabbard might well be later. Very nice.

Thank you Ian! Sorry for my late reply, I was and still am a little bit ill, I've catched a bad cold.
I agree with your age estimation, the sword is much older as the scabbard which will be a later replacement.

Regards,
Detlef

9th November 2023, 07:00 PM	#1
Peter B. Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Germany Posts: 41	Hello Detlef, you have bought a very nice and interesting sword. The metal handle is a rarity. But what kind of metal is "mamas"? I tried to translate it into German, the result was "Mamas". Hope you can help me. Best regards from Berlin Peter

10th November 2023, 04:02 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,043	Sajen, I'll add my voice to those who congratulated you on a very fine sword. There is a lot of "rustic" character in the sword itself. I particularly like the brass hilt, which seems to have some age judging from how the designs have worn from handling over the years. The blade similarly looks old and you noted a nice patina. Just from these pictures, the sword looks to be at least 19th C. in manufacture, although the scabbard might well be later. Very nice. Ian.

11th November 2023, 10:00 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,223	Congrats, Detlef, a very nice sword! The hilt does look legit: While age is often easier to fake with metal pieces, this looks good to me; I'd estimate it and the blade as being antique, indeed. Scabbard is a later replacement (post WWII) as shown by carving quality and materials. These more slender swords were either worn as EDC single blade/tool or as a secondary sword behind the main/heavier sword (akin to samurai usage). For all Nias blades, their stylistic details including names and local attribution need much more research as already indicated. BTW, most extant Nias swords with balls originate from the post-headhunting days. Dutch and German missionaries were very active on Nias in eradicating old traditions during the 19th century (first in the North, later in the South); most Nias blades on the market are from the second half of the 20th century; older examples usually originate from the late colonial period (roughly turn of the century up to WWII). As with all Indonesian blades, most older pieces do originate from Dutch or British colonial sources and hardly anything can be inferred from the current owners place of living. Regards, Kai

12th November 2023, 04:53 PM	#5
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 415	A fascinating sword, for sure. Congratulations on an interesting, even exotic, find. I don't recall any other examples of swords from the area with brass hilts . . . if others here have links to such swords, I'd be delighted to see and learn more about the subject.