What is this!

kino · 19th April 2007, 12:29 AM

Your comments please.

Rick · 19th April 2007, 01:22 AM

Looks like a one-off hybrid to me.

War souvenir for the Japanese soldier?

Rich · 19th April 2007, 02:26 AM

IMHO, it's more likely a Chinese thingie. No self-respecting Japanese swordsmith
would ever make such an atrocity. It is possible that it is a one-of. I can't
imagine anybody making two of these (what ever they are trying to be?? )
I suspect (pure speculation) that it's another of those bizarre thingies
coming out of China recently to sell on ebay, or similar market.

I've studied Japanese swords for about 25 years and have never seen anything
even vaguely resembling this.

Rich S

RSWORD · 19th April 2007, 02:30 AM

The blade looks to be an over active Borneo Mandau blade. Could it be a WWII put together piece from Borneo?

RhysMichael · 19th April 2007, 02:31 AM

A re-hilted parang ilang ?

RhysMichael · 19th April 2007, 02:32 AM

RSword beat me to it but we were close ~lol~

DaveS · 19th April 2007, 04:57 AM

It is indeed a mandau. Over the years Lonna and i have collected about 200 more or less and we think that this blade shows the finest fretwork on any piece that we have ever seen. Fred Colluzzi sent us pictures of this sword about fifteen years ago and asked us if we had ever seen a blade like this, with this style of handle and were we interested in buying it. Naturally we jumped at the chance. I think it is definitely pre 1900, but as for the cast handle none of the collectors out here have been able to come up with an explanation. Fred seems to think it is a rough cast japanese naval D-ring handle. after seeing some of that type handle, he just might be right. We also don't know if a japanese soldier stationed on Borneo saw the blade and liked it or if a dyak saw a naval style and decided to copy it. It is a strange piece with a story that will never be really known..............Dave

Rick · 19th April 2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

IMHO, it's more likely a Chinese thingie. No self-respecting Japanese swordsmith
would ever make such an atrocity. It is possible that it is a one-of. I can't
imagine anybody making two of these (what ever they are trying to be?? )
I suspect (pure speculation) that it's another of those bizarre thingies
coming out of China recently to sell on ebay, or similar market.

I've studied Japanese swords for about 25 years and have never seen anything
even vaguely resembling this.

Rich S

I think you misunderstood me Rich; agreed, no Japanese smith ever made this blade. I figured it was a married piece .

19th April 2007, 12:29 AM	#1
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 972	What is this! Your comments please. Attached Images

19th April 2007, 01:22 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	Looks like a one-off hybrid to me. War souvenir for the Japanese soldier?

19th April 2007, 02:26 AM	#3
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	IMHO, it's more likely a Chinese thingie. No self-respecting Japanese swordsmith would ever make such an atrocity. It is possible that it is a one-of. I can't imagine anybody making two of these (what ever they are trying to be?? ) I suspect (pure speculation) that it's another of those bizarre thingies coming out of China recently to sell on ebay, or similar market. I've studied Japanese swords for about 25 years and have never seen anything even vaguely resembling this. Rich S

19th April 2007, 02:30 AM	#4
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	The blade looks to be an over active Borneo Mandau blade. Could it be a WWII put together piece from Borneo?

19th April 2007, 02:31 AM	#5
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	A re-hilted parang ilang ?

19th April 2007, 02:32 AM	#6
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	RSword beat me to it but we were close ~lol~

19th April 2007, 04:57 AM	#7
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	It is indeed a mandau. Over the years Lonna and i have collected about 200 more or less and we think that this blade shows the finest fretwork on any piece that we have ever seen. Fred Colluzzi sent us pictures of this sword about fifteen years ago and asked us if we had ever seen a blade like this, with this style of handle and were we interested in buying it. Naturally we jumped at the chance. I think it is definitely pre 1900, but as for the cast handle none of the collectors out here have been able to come up with an explanation. Fred seems to think it is a rough cast japanese naval D-ring handle. after seeing some of that type handle, he just might be right. We also don't know if a japanese soldier stationed on Borneo saw the blade and liked it or if a dyak saw a naval style and decided to copy it. It is a strange piece with a story that will never be really known..............Dave