VOC mark on a sword ( is this real? )

ferrylaki · 14th October 2008, 04:16 AM

hello...
I found this mark on a local dressed sword.
any idea about the VOC mark?
the blade is thick and very light.

ferrylaki
jakarta

kahnjar1 · 14th October 2008, 06:27 AM

Although not my particular field of knowledge, I can say that the sword in question is a Pedang from Indonesia, which was a Dutch Colony. The blade LOOKS to be untypical of the Pedang in that it is fullered, and could well be a Dutch blade mounted in the "native" way. The stamping looks to me to be the real deal.
One of our many collectors in this field will be able to confirm this info I hope.

Jim McDougall · 14th October 2008, 06:50 AM

Thats a beauty Ferrylaki! and as noted a pedang....but what is best is that the blade appears to be authentic VOC, and the date is typically inscribed in this way as well. These are incredibly hard to find these days, and the ones I have seen are usually marked with these 18th century dates, 1759, 1769 etc. The VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) seems correct in form also. Check coin references for Dutch East Indies and you will see this exact configuration.

The Dutch East India Company organization consisted of six 'kamers' (chambers) in port cities in the Netherlands which were; Amsterdam, Delft, Rotterdam, Enkhuizen, Middleburg and Hoorn. Property, including sword blades in this case, had a VOC mark with a letter denoting the chamber assigned......in the case of this blade it would be of course Delft.

I have always been curious why the dating on these blades seems consistantly in this range of the 18th century, the same Dutch blades are commonly found on Sinhalese kastanes as well. It is interesting that the commercial conflicts between the trade companies of the major powers were intensifying in these regions during these times, and there were major internal conflicts within the company. It was dissolved in 1800.

Excellent find!!!
All best regards,
Jim

ferrylaki · 14th October 2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Thats a beauty Ferrylaki! and as noted a pedang....but what is best is that the blade appears to be authentic VOC, and the date is typically inscribed in this way as well. These are incredibly hard to find these days, and the ones I have seen are usually marked with these 18th century dates, 1759, 1769 etc. The VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) seems correct in form also. Check coin references for Dutch East Indies and you will see this exact configuration.

The Dutch East India Company organization consists of six 'kamers' (chambers) in port cities in the Netherlands which were; Amsterdam, Delft, Rotterdam, Enkhuizen, Middleburg and Hoorn. Property, including sword blades in this case, had a VOC mark with a letter denoting the chamber assigned......in the case of this blade it would be of course Delft.

I have always been curious why the dating on these blades seems consistantly in this range of the 18th century, the same Dutch blades are commonly found on Sinhalese kastanes as well. It is interesting that the commercial conflicts between the trade companies of the major powers were intensifying in these regions during these times, and there were major internal conflicts within the company. It was dissolved in 1800.

Excellent find!!!
All best regards,
Jim

Thanks Jim,
I've been searching for VOC sword for three years, but most of them are no longer in one piece ( just like this sword).
this VOC blade is the best example that I ever met.
It's not mine yet. there's a little bit doubt with the marking.
I found it in Surabaya Street, Jakarta Indonesia while I was looking for a hembrug Klewang ( and some antique radio ).
I really wonder how is exactly the Complete VOC sword looks like?
any of you guys having the picture of this VOC sword?
that would help me alot.

regards,
FERRYLAKI
JAKARTA INDONESIA

asomotif · 14th October 2008, 11:51 AM

Dear Ferrylaki,

A lot of blades where shipped to the Far east unmounted for trading purposes.
It is not uncommon to see them mounted in indonesian style.
I must say that I find it difficult to say if markings are real.

I believe there has been another thread discussing the original form of VOC swords. Maybe you can find it in the search function.

Best regards,
Willem

14th October 2008, 04:16 AM	#1
ferrylaki Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 285	VOC mark on a sword ( is this real? ) hello... I found this mark on a local dressed sword. any idea about the VOC mark? the blade is thick and very light. ferrylaki jakarta Attached Images

14th October 2008, 06:50 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,742	Thats a beauty Ferrylaki! and as noted a pedang....but what is best is that the blade appears to be authentic VOC, and the date is typically inscribed in this way as well. These are incredibly hard to find these days, and the ones I have seen are usually marked with these 18th century dates, 1759, 1769 etc. The VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) seems correct in form also. Check coin references for Dutch East Indies and you will see this exact configuration. The Dutch East India Company organization consisted of six 'kamers' (chambers) in port cities in the Netherlands which were; Amsterdam, Delft, Rotterdam, Enkhuizen, Middleburg and Hoorn. Property, including sword blades in this case, had a VOC mark with a letter denoting the chamber assigned......in the case of this blade it would be of course Delft. I have always been curious why the dating on these blades seems consistantly in this range of the 18th century, the same Dutch blades are commonly found on Sinhalese kastanes as well. It is interesting that the commercial conflicts between the trade companies of the major powers were intensifying in these regions during these times, and there were major internal conflicts within the company. It was dissolved in 1800. Excellent find!!! All best regards, Jim Last edited by Jim McDougall; 15th October 2008 at 03:54 AM.

14th October 2008, 06:27 AM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,729	Although not my particular field of knowledge, I can say that the sword in question is a Pedang from Indonesia, which was a Dutch Colony. The blade LOOKS to be untypical of the Pedang in that it is fullered, and could well be a Dutch blade mounted in the "native" way. The stamping looks to me to be the real deal. One of our many collectors in this field will be able to confirm this info I hope.

14th October 2008, 11:51 AM	#5
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,221	Dear Ferrylaki, A lot of blades where shipped to the Far east unmounted for trading purposes. It is not uncommon to see them mounted in indonesian style. I must say that I find it difficult to say if markings are real. I believe there has been another thread discussing the original form of VOC swords. Maybe you can find it in the search function. Best regards, Willem