A Brief Look at Sumatran Swords (Pedangs, Parangs, Klewangs)

CharlesS · 31st May 2007, 03:25 PM

Though not a much sought after sword type, I have always been attracted to Sumatran swords for a variety of reasons but most notably because of their finely carved pommels, the way they handle, and especially for the tremendous range of blade types that can be found with them.

While the pommel styles may vary little except in quality and workmanship, the blades found with these swords can take on variety worthy of a single collecting interest.

Zonneveld's Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago refers to these swords as "Pedang II" and "Padang III"....but I wonder if based on blade style they could go on into "Pedang infinity"!!

It is my purpose here to illustrate some of the variety found in these under appreciated swords. I think some in particular will surpise you. While most of these swords are "slashers", make no mistake about the fact that these can be effective "stabbers" in the right hands. 4-7 shown are efficient stabbers, and when the sword's blade is turned flat with the wrist fist out instead of fist down, and the sword's spine facing the user's body, 8-11 are just as(surprisingly) efficient at stabbing.

Enjoy!

1. Horn hilt with swassa(gold copper alloy) band decoration.

2. Horn wayang hilt with superb pamor blade of fascinating construction. A similar one was discussed recently on the forum.

3. Classic "Pedang III" form.

4. Short sword, finely fullered, and with Islamic script in silver wire koftgari.

5. Similar to 4, but with a fine silver scabbard.

6. Very unusual form with a fine blade and a more rare(that they survive!!) wooden hilt in wayang form.

7. Simple sword with light sharp blade.

8. Magnificent twist core pamor blade in what I believe is a "death shroud" pamor.

9. Classic, thick, very heavy, pamor blade.

10. Imported Persian wootz blade of very good quality wootz. The attempts to mimic Assad Allah logos are crudely acid etched.

11. Heavy, smooth, pattern welded blade.

12. Huge, really massive and far larger than the norm, sabre style blade, looking to copy European styles, though a native made blade. Interesting chieselling to the spine. The scabbard mounts are even more interesting, all being decorated in silver niello!

13. Another, massive, atypical sabre style that appears to immitate a Europen blade, but again is native made.

14. Klewang with superb blade and scabbard

15. Another, more classic Sumatran klewang with interesting hilt and laminated blade.

CharlesS · 31st May 2007, 03:27 PM

Pics continued....

CharlesS · 31st May 2007, 03:32 PM

I apologise for the somewhat confusing alignment of pics, but this the work of the site's automatic attachment manager, and not my own choice. The correction has been made...now the pics are in the correct order.

Andrew · 31st May 2007, 03:50 PM

Wow. Next time I'm in NC I need to stop by and see your collection, Charles.

You should consider focusing on these gorgeous swords and ridding yourself of all dha...

CharlesS · 31st May 2007, 03:53 PM

Thanks Andrew, but ridding myself of my dha????....I ain't had that many Mint Julips!!!

Flavio · 31st May 2007, 05:56 PM

Thank you very much Charles

Bill M · 1st June 2007, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

I apologise for the somewhat confusing alignment of pics, but this the work of the site's automatic attachment manager, and not my own choice.

Charles,

It is best to upload these picture one at a time. THEN they stay in order.

VERY NICE!!!

CharlesS · 1st June 2007, 12:32 PM

Thanks Bill,

Took your advice, and re-ordered them. That's a nice thing to remember for the future. Thanks again.

drdavid · 3rd June 2007, 01:12 AM

Hi Charles
You may have been following it already but in the keris warang kopi forum there has been a very interesting discussion on the so called death shroud or corpse wrapping pamor and the fact that it should probably be called the slanted wrapping pamor (or rope pamor if you are in Bali).

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4662

cheers
DrD

31st May 2007, 03:25 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	A Brief Look at Sumatran Swords (Pedangs, Parangs, Klewangs) Though not a much sought after sword type, I have always been attracted to Sumatran swords for a variety of reasons but most notably because of their finely carved pommels, the way they handle, and especially for the tremendous range of blade types that can be found with them. While the pommel styles may vary little except in quality and workmanship, the blades found with these swords can take on variety worthy of a single collecting interest. Zonneveld's *Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago* refers to these swords as "Pedang II" and "Padang III"....but I wonder if based on blade style they could go on into "Pedang infinity"!! It is my purpose here to illustrate some of the variety found in these under appreciated swords. I think some in particular will surpise you. While most of these swords are "slashers", make no mistake about the fact that these can be effective "stabbers" in the right hands. 4-7 shown are efficient stabbers, and when the sword's blade is turned flat with the wrist fist out instead of fist down, and the sword's spine facing the user's body, 8-11 are just as(surprisingly) efficient at stabbing. Enjoy! 1. Horn hilt with swassa(gold copper alloy) band decoration. 2. Horn wayang hilt with superb pamor blade of fascinating construction. A similar one was discussed recently on the forum. 3. Classic "Pedang III" form. 4. Short sword, finely fullered, and with Islamic script in silver wire koftgari. 5. Similar to 4, but with a fine silver scabbard. 6. Very unusual form with a fine blade and a more rare(that they survive!!) wooden hilt in wayang form. 7. Simple sword with light sharp blade. 8. Magnificent twist core pamor blade in what I believe is a "death shroud" pamor. 9. Classic, thick, very heavy, pamor blade. 10. Imported Persian wootz blade of very good quality wootz. The attempts to mimic Assad Allah logos are crudely acid etched. 11. Heavy, smooth, pattern welded blade. 12. Huge, really massive and far larger than the norm, sabre style blade, looking to copy European styles, though a native made blade. Interesting chieselling to the spine. The scabbard mounts are even more interesting, all being decorated in silver niello! 13. Another, massive, atypical sabre style that appears to immitate a Europen blade, but again is native made. 14. Klewang with superb blade and scabbard 15. Another, more classic Sumatran klewang with interesting hilt and laminated blade. Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 1st June 2007 at 12:27 PM.

31st May 2007, 03:27 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Pics continued.... Attached Images Last edited by CharlesS; 1st June 2007 at 12:29 PM.

31st May 2007, 03:32 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	I apologise for the somewhat confusing alignment of pics, but this the work of the site's automatic attachment manager, and not my own choice. The correction has been made...now the pics are in the correct order. Last edited by CharlesS; 1st June 2007 at 12:31 PM.

3rd June 2007, 01:12 AM	#9
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 369	Hi Charles You may have been following it already but in the keris warang kopi forum there has been a very interesting discussion on the so called death shroud or corpse wrapping pamor and the fact that it should probably be called the slanted wrapping pamor (or rope pamor if you are in Bali). http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4662 cheers DrD Last edited by drdavid; 3rd June 2007 at 08:37 AM.

31st May 2007, 03:50 PM	#4
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Wow. Next time I'm in NC I need to stop by and see your collection, Charles. You should consider focusing on these gorgeous swords and ridding yourself of all dha...

31st May 2007, 03:53 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Thanks Andrew, but ridding myself of my dha????....I ain't had that many Mint Julips!!!

31st May 2007, 05:56 PM	#6
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Thank you very much Charles

1st June 2007, 12:32 PM	#8
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Thanks Bill, Took your advice, and re-ordered them. That's a nice thing to remember for the future. Thanks again.