Need sword ID help. Really!

Bill M · 9th September 2006, 06:41 PM

I am rephotographing my collection for a new insurance company. I can not remember where this sword is from. I have no records. I would really appreciate help here. it is 26" long OAL. The blade does come out the back of the scabbard as shown.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. I will be posting a few more as I come across them. The pictures are intentionally light to show detail.

I am also thinking about putting some pieces on a website and will be asking for your in depth help in details about some of my more obscure pieces.

I should keep better records.....

David · 9th September 2006, 08:31 PM

Wow, that must be quite an undertaking if you are re-shooting your entie collection.

I think that one is Sumatran if i'm not mistaken.

Tim Simmons · 9th September 2006, 08:35 PM

love the finish at the end of the scabbard

.

ariel · 9th September 2006, 08:52 PM

Parang Amanremu?

David · 9th September 2006, 09:12 PM

I'll go a step further and suggest that perhaps this sword comes from the Batak region of Sumatra.

Tim Simmons · 9th September 2006, 09:22 PM

I wonder if this sword has a lot more to tell. To me it does not look used, though clearly an old piece. Also in a martial sense it does look a little awkward and the handle could be seen as not 100% functional for fighting. I get the feeling this is very high status, perhaps in a religious way. Could it be some sort of sacrificial sword or other emblem of ceremony.

Tim Simmons · 10th September 2006, 08:52 AM

Looking at the sword as a whole, with the finish on the scabbard tip. Is this a snake/naga? If it is, it would be nice if someone could elaborate. I am sure I am not the only one that needs informing about such matters.

Tim Simmons · 12th September 2006, 07:10 AM

Not just what it is, but why it is what it is?

Bill M · 12th September 2006, 11:05 AM

I remembered the seller and emailed him. He got it from Adni about five years ago. I sent Adni a link to this thread and asked for more info. Will let you all know what he says.

Bill M · 18th September 2006, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

I remembered the seller and emailed him. He got it from Adni about five years ago. I sent Adni a link to this thread and asked for more info. Will let you all know what he says.

Adni just responded.

"The origin is surely Batak and aside from one similar example I have presently at the site (interested? It makes a nice pair to the one already have), I can recall at least 2 more. The hilt form with the squatting human figurine style is clearly Batak, and we also see this style in their other swords that usually comes with brass fittings. The fretworks at the base of the blade also has similarities with other Batak swords. The shape of the blade and the sheath is where the confusion comes in. Geographically, the region Batak in central Sumatra has one large city, Medan and I can only suggest that this is maybe a variant of the Batak swords from the lesser known or populated tribes there. Not much else I can add I’m afraid."

I am getting the other one. Maybe some day I'll travel there and see these poeple myself.

tom hyle · 18th September 2006, 08:14 PM

I had one of these. Is the handle made from antler, by any chance? Does this remind anyone else of Bornean parangs ( 'latok, 'lading...) ?

RhysMichael · 21st September 2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hyle

I had one of these. Is the handle made from antler, by any chance? Does this remind anyone else of Bornean parangs ( 'latok, 'lading...) ?

I would have guessed parang lading based on the blade shape but its just a guess

Bill M · 28th November 2018, 12:24 PM

Any new ideas?

kai · 28th November 2018, 11:08 PM

Hello Bill,

Could you possibly add pics of the second one you obtained, too?

These definitely exhibit Batak style. IMHO not old though; in the examples I saw, the blade quality was modest, too.

There are genuine antique klewang-type blades with scabbards opening along the back from Sumatra. However, these look quite a bit different.

Regards,
Kai

DaveA · 30th November 2018, 08:43 AM

This may be a variant of the klewang known as Ladeng (Ladeeng, Ladieng) from N.Sumatra. I recently purchased this one and am awaiting delivery. Blade shape is similar; hilts are obviously different. Second picture is a Batak hilt on a lawi ayam.
Ladeng photo courtesy of oriental-arms.com. I will upload new photos when it arrives.

9th September 2006, 06:41 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Need sword ID help. I am rephotographing my collection for a new insurance company. I can not remember where this sword is from. I have no records. I would really appreciate help here. it is 26" long OAL. The blade does come out the back of the scabbard as shown. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I will be posting a few more as I come across them. The pictures are intentionally light to show detail. I am also thinking about putting some pieces on a website and will be asking for your in depth help in details about some of my more obscure pieces. I should keep better records..... Attached Images Last edited by Bill Marsh; 10th September 2006 at 02:51 AM.

30th November 2018, 08:43 AM	#15
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Possibly Ladeng This may be a variant of the klewang known as Ladeng (Ladeeng, Ladieng) from N.Sumatra. I recently purchased this one and am awaiting delivery. Blade shape is similar; hilts are obviously different. Second picture is a Batak hilt on a lawi ayam. Ladeng photo courtesy of oriental-arms.com. I will upload new photos when it arrives. Attached Images

9th September 2006, 08:31 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,025	Wow, that must be quite an undertaking if you are re-shooting your entie collection. I think that one is Sumatran if i'm not mistaken.

9th September 2006, 08:35 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	love the finish at the end of the scabbard .

9th September 2006, 08:52 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Parang Amanremu?

9th September 2006, 09:12 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,025	I'll go a step further and suggest that perhaps this sword comes from the Batak region of Sumatra.

9th September 2006, 09:22 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	I wonder if this sword has a lot more to tell. To me it does not look used, though clearly an old piece. Also in a martial sense it does look a little awkward and the handle could be seen as not 100% functional for fighting. I get the feeling this is very high status, perhaps in a religious way. Could it be some sort of sacrificial sword or other emblem of ceremony.

10th September 2006, 08:52 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Looking at the sword as a whole, with the finish on the scabbard tip. Is this a snake/naga? If it is, it would be nice if someone could elaborate. I am sure I am not the only one that needs informing about such matters.

12th September 2006, 07:10 AM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Not just what it is, but why it is what it is?

12th September 2006, 11:05 AM	#9
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	I remembered the seller and emailed him. He got it from Adni about five years ago. I sent Adni a link to this thread and asked for more info. Will let you all know what he says.

18th September 2006, 08:14 PM	#11
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	I had one of these. Is the handle made from antler, by any chance? Does this remind anyone else of Bornean parangs ( 'latok, 'lading...) ?

28th November 2018, 12:24 PM	#13
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Any new ideas?

28th November 2018, 11:08 PM	#14
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,218	Hello Bill, Could you possibly add pics of the second one you obtained, too? These definitely exhibit Batak style. IMHO not old though; in the examples I saw, the blade quality was modest, too. There are genuine antique klewang-type blades with scabbards opening along the back from Sumatra. However, these look quite a bit different. Regards, Kai