RSword Antique Blades

Very fine and tall African Woven Basketry Shield of the Poto tribe. The shield is 52 1/2” tall by 17” wide. It is in very good condition overall. It has lovely, inked decoration down the front of the shield. The weaving and skill to make this shield is very impressive. The back of the shield has a wood board woven into the shield with the center piece carved out and then two narrow handles laid across the top of the board with the rattan weaving going across the top. It is not a very heavy shield but is solid and very well made. This would make a fantastic display piece.

$795

Fine African Shield of the Ngbaka/Ngbundu/Ngombe/Manza/Mabo Tribes. This style and form of shield was used amongst a good number of tribes within the African Congo. It measures 55” tall by 20 1/2” wide. It is a fine basket weave shield with complex weaving throughout. The shield has some rigidity with the hump in the middle of the shield but some flexibility around the top and bottom. The shield is in very good condition with just a few losses at the bottom and top of the shield and a little bit of wear around the edges. The back of the shield has a long wood board with a carved out middle section with handle and then intricate rattan weaving all around the edges to secure it to the shield. A very fine African shield.

$595

Very nice African Sudanese Warriors Shield of the Shilluk. This is a nice large example measuring 46 1/4” in height and 20 1/2” in width. This is a heavy shield made of a very thick leather. As the leather was stretched out on the handle and dried it finished out with a wavy, lump front which would be very good for deflecting spears or blades. The handle on the back is a thick piece of wood with a lovely patina from handling and use. All in all, a great African shield.

$595

Nice Nepalese Kora Sword with rare carved wood scabbard. This beast of a sword measures 26 3/4” in total length. The blade is 21 1/4” long but is 1 3/4” wide at the forte and a whopping 5 1/8” wide at the tip. The handle is brass with 2 brass discs for pommel and guard. The top of the pommel with a steel sunburst like you see on the top of tulwar pommels. The disc guard with some simple decorations to the top. The blade has an edge bevel all the way to the tip of the blade which is scalloped with 3 sharp points. A very nice feature to this sword is the wood scabbard. Scabbard on Kora are not common and all of the ones I have encountered are leather. This one is wood and is carved profusely on the front and the back is undecorated. It is two separate pieces of wood held together with a wood “hinge”. You have to be careful inserting the blade and taking it out so as to not damage that wood hinge that is all holding the two pieces together. A very nice and good Nepalese Kora.

$595

Chinese Spear with Long 4-Sided Blade. This spear measures 73 1/2” in total length. It may have originally been a bit longer as the pole looks squared off at the bottom. The blade on the spear is a long 4-sided blade measuring 13 1/4” with high median ridges on each side giving it the 4-sided appearance. It has a steel cross guard with upturned quillons. The spearhead has a brass twelve facet block made from brass that in turn is attached to a steel or iron socket. Everything is tight with no wiggle or looseness. Inserted into the socket opening is dyed red probably horsehair. The shaft is a nice brown wood with good patina. It shows dings and wear as expected. A nice Chinese spear with an uncommon spearhead shape and size.

$725

Very nice Indian Naga spear. This spear measures 92” in total length. It features a very nice steel spearhead of socket form with ribbed edges at the base and some line decoration at the base of the blade. Nice color and patina to the steel. The spearhead has a bit of wiggle to it. I think some of the wood has rotted or deteriorated on the inside which causes it to not have a snug fit to the pole. It will display just fine but you shouldn’t hunt wild board with it. It has 2 sections of red dyed coarse animal hair with the lowest one having the hair loose. It is missing its metal finial at the bottom. All in all, this is a nice and old Naga spear. One of the nicer ones I have seen.

$395 plus shipping/handling. Will require a special tube to ship in.

Rare African sword of the Olombo tribe. This sword has a lot of attractive features. It measurs 20 1/4” in total length. The handle is wood with a U shaped pommel. The grip has some line carvings at the top and bottom and the wood has a lovely patina overall. There are a couple of minor stable age cracks in the handle. The blade has a lovely shape. It is more narrow at the forte and then widens and then narrows again to an elongated tip. There is a midrib running the full length to the tip of the blade. The tip is rounded and there is some pitting through the blade but the nice dark oxidation is more prominent visually. A nice, old and rare African sword.

$395

Nice African Kaskara Sword with stamped leather scabbard. This sword measures 42” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle consists of a wood grip wrapped in leather with a tassel attached at the top of the grip. Round pommel in leather. Some of the leather is worn away and you can see the metal inlay to fill the round pommel and give it shape. The blade is an African native made blade with triple fullers on each side and the opposing man in the moon marks that were done in imitation of European marks. The blade shows some scratches, wear and oxidation. The leather scabbard is very supple with a bent section in between the two shoulder straps but the leather is still all one piece. You just have to be careful when removing the blade to not have the scabbard standing on its own or it will bend. There are nice stamped decorations to the leather as well as a shoulder strap in leather. At the top and bottom are white metal mounts . The chape with lovely circle, semi-circle and line designs. A good and complete African kaskara sword from the Sudan.

$295

Very Large Sumatran Pedang Sword with Lacquered Scabbard. This sword measures 35 1/2” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle has a wire wrapped grip with a brass sleeve above it. The wire wrap is a later replacement. The wood pommel has very nice and detailed carving with the recesses of the carving filled with red dye. The ferrule below the wire wrap is done in gold and black lacquer that matches the scabbard. The scabbard is wood that has the black and gold lacquer all over. There are some chipping/losses to the lacquer work. I would estimate about 80-85% of the original lacquer remains. The gold floral decoration contrasts nicely to the black lacquer background. The saber style blade has complex fullering. You have 3 narrow but deep fullers/channels along the blade spine. At the forte you have 2 wider fullers but the upper fuller converts to the 3 narrow fullers while the lower wider fuller run along the blade and terminates where the 3 narrow fullers do. The blade is of undetermined origin. It has the look of a European blade, but I have also seen Middle Eastern blades with this configuration. As I look closely at the blade, I can see signs of the blade being laminated. So, it could be a native made blade as well. The blade does have some pitting and oxidation throughout. An impressive sword for its size and lacquered scabbard.

Sold

Very nice long Spanish American war period Filipino Luzon sword with 1870 dated coin. This sword measures a little over 28 1/2” in total length. The handle has a reeded grip of either wood or carabao horn with lovely patina and steel ferrule and pommel also with good dark patina. The top of the pommel is a Spanish Coin that is from around 1870. It states “Diez Centimos” and also “Cien Piezas En Kilog”. The tang peining goes through the lion over the shield in the center of the coin. It dates to the provisional Spanish government in place from 1868-1871. This was a volatile time for the Spanish rule in the Philippines. The handle also has an S shaped guard. The blade is nice with a long false edge and slightly upswept tip. The blade has a nice dark glossy patina. There is floral decorations on each side of the blade at the forte. A very good and quite early Luzon sword.

$695

Interesting Spanish Colonial Mexican Sword with long clipped point blade. This sword measures 31” in total length. The handle is two pieces of wood with a dark brass ferrule and a brass pommel with capstan. It also has a S shaped cross guard with the quillons taking on an animal head maybe a snake when you look closely. The blade has a very short ricasso and then is a long blade with a slight forward curve that recurves back up at the point creating a 5” false edge. Inscribed on the blade on one side in Spanish is “Yo A Fe Delos Mal Creados” which loosely translates as I am the Faith of the Badly Created. Definitely a very interesting phrase that certainly speaks to the original or subsequent owner of this sword. The blade has some oxidation and small areas of pitting. A very nice sword of the Spanish Colonial period.

$595

Nice Spanish American War Period Filipino Luzon sword. This sword measures 25” in total length. The handle is either wood or horn but has a very rich patina. The grip was faceted at one time but the grip has been worn so much the faceting has rounded off and is not very well defined but you can tell it was once there. The pommel and ferrule are iron with good dark patina. S shaped steel guard. The blade is fairly straight and is flat on one side and has a bit of cross section on the opposite side. There is a hand inscribed inscription that appears to be in Spanish but I can’t make out any of the words that is located on one side of the blade. The edge has a few nicks. There is some oxidation and rusting to the blade but it should clean up pretty well. A good and old Luzon short sword.

$295

Interesting Spanish Colonial Mexican sword with sawtooth edge. This sword measures 26 1/2” in total length. The grips are bovine horn with very good patina. There are two slabs that are secured to the tang via 4 copper rivets on each side. The grip is either in two pieces on one side or is cracked but the grip is solid. The cross guard is steel in S shape with a bit of a shell guard. The guard has a bit of wiggle likely from some shrinkage of the horn. The blade is very wide. It is 1 34” wide for most of its length until it narrows down to the tip. An interesting feature is the saw tooth edge at the forte. The blade has some sharpening marks along the edge and other signs of use and wear. It is a solid, heavy sword.

$425

Spanish Colonial Mexican Sword with 3 Branch Guard and Blade Inscription. This sword measures 30 1/2” in total length. The grip is wood with a brass ferrule and a 3-branch guard with downturned quillon in the shape of a snake head. The guard has a good bit of wiggle. The blade is long and straight with a slight downward cant near the tip where the false edge is located. There is an inscription on the blade at the forte on one side that has been inlaid with brass and copper. Some of the inlay is missing. I can’t make out any of the inscription. While blade inscriptions are not uncommon on Spanish Colonial swords this is the first one, I have seen that was inlaid with metal. The blade has some oxidation throughout and has a few edge irregularities from use, and the spine has a lot of nicks and dings either from deflecting other swords or from banging on something. A nice and interesting Spanish Colonial Mexican sword.

$395

African sword of the Mongo with ribbed and flared blade. This sword measures 20 1/2” in total length. The handle is wood with a wide round pommel showing wear and some losses to the wood around the rim of the pommel. There is also a split in the handle on one side but it is stable. The blade has a very slight wobble in the grip but the tang comes through the top of the pommel and is hammered over so it is secure. The blade is quite nice. It is 2” wide at the forte and 7 1/4” wide at the tip of the blade. The blade has double mid ribs with fullers down the center and on each side of and then the edges are slightly beveled. The tip is very wide and flaring with a sharp point in each end. An attractive African sword.

$295

African Ngala Execution Sword. This sword measures 28 1/2” in total length. The handle consists of a wood grip that is wrapped with copper bands, which are showing a nice patina, and two wood disc shaped pommels with a wood extension at the top. The blade has an exotic shape with multi extended points along the edge and then a long sweeping and curved tip. The blade has a lot of carved line decorations along those side extensions. An attractive and unusual African sword.

$225

Indian Bichwa dagger with recurved blade. This knife measures 13 1/2” in total length. The handle is cast brass and has a little bit of wiggle on the blade. There is a lightbulb shaped cut out on the back knuckle guard but I’m not sure what that was for. The recurved double-edged blade with beveled edges. There is some minor rusting and oxidation on the blade.

$125

Nice Iraqi Kurdish Jambiya Dagger. This dagger measures 16 1/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The I shaped handle is horn with 2 domed rivets on each side to secure it to the tang. The curved blade with strong ang high median ridge is sharp on the edges and is in very good condition. The leather scabbard is quite nice with lovely tooling to the front side with some additional tooling, but less intricate and detailed, to the back. Overall, a nice Kurdish Jambiya in very good condition.

$295

Indian shield with fine central wootz panel. This shield is a buckler size as it measures 10 3/4” by just under 11”. The shield is steel with a chiseled border depicting flowers, animals and hunters with guns. The entire border covered in gold koftgari that is worn. About 50-60% of the goldwork remains. Just inside this border is a fine carved floral decoration with gold koftgari and this section of the gold work is 100% intact. The center of the shield is made from a veneer of wootz steel. The pattern is bold and fairly consistent throughout the shield. There is a gold koftgari decoration in the very center which the gold is 100% intact. There are 4 bosses with gold koftgari that is worn and about 75% intact. The grey wootz pattern offers a very nice contrast to all of the gold work throughout. The back of the shield has a fabric lining that is mostly all there with a few areas having come slightly loose. There is a red leather pad with 4 rings and some leather strapping. Wootz shields are scarce to begin with and often the pattern is not that great. This example has a great pattern plus it is unusual for its size. A rare and fine Indian shield.

$3995

Very early 16/17th century Indian Khapwa dagger. This knife measures 14 1/2” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The dagger is of all steel construction with an angled steel pommel, shaped like a propeller, with tang button at the top. It has a single recurved hand guard terminating in an animal head as you can see a small slit for a mouth. The curved blade features a thickened point for armor piercing and a median ridge with a hollow grind and beveled edge to each side. The scabbard is well made and contemporary to protect the blade. In Robert Elgood’s book “Arms and Armor at the Jaipur Court” he refers to this dagger style as Kapwah. Pieces like this are illustrated in very early Indian manuscripts. He dates the examples in his book to the 16th and 17th century. A very fine Indian dagger of a very early date in very good overall condition.

$1995

Fine Indian Kutch Jambiya dagger. This knife measures 12” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is gilt brass with fine chiseled floral decorations throughout the entire handle. The scabbard has matching gilt brass mounts also of chiseled floral decoration. The gilt is 100% intact on the handle and showing just some minor wear on the scabbard. The scabbard has a wood core with the gilt brass mounts and a red velvet center section. The very bottom of the scabbard is missing the piece that would have originally been there. The blade is curved, jambiya style, with median ridge. There are a few areas of oxidation. A lovely Indian dagger from the Kutch region.

$695

Rare Transcaucasian Black Sea Yataghan sword. This sword measures 24 3/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. It is a great short sword as these pieces can range from 18-19” in length up to 36-38”. The handle is yataghan style with eared pommels and is of a dark horn. It shows a nice patina. The slab grips are secured to the tang via 4 rivets on each side. The tang has been chiseled in a zig zag pattern which you see repeated all the way down the spine. The bolster is steel and there is a brass covering at the forte on each side of the blade that sports dot and line decoration. The Black Sea Yataghans are known for their cool recurved blades, the one being no exception. The blade has been extensively decorated on both sides with punch dot and line decoration along with some spiral shaped decorations. There is a date in Arabic along this blade decoration that seems to read 1261 which converts to 1845 in the Western calendar. Nice complete scabbard featuring a wood core with chiseled brass mounts and a leather central covering. There is a split to the wood next to the bottom scabbard mount where the blade pokes through when being inserted. Because of the unique curvature of the blade you have to be careful through this section or the blade will poke through. Once corrected the blade seats properly and fits very well into the scabbard. A rare sword in complete condition.

$1295

Very nice silver mounted Nepalese Kukri dagger. This Kukri is an interesting size as it measures 11 1/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. Possibly made for a child of means. The handle is horn with a silver pommel cap, a silver band in the center of the grip and then a silver bolster. The blade has two fullers, known as Dui Chirra, with some decoration along the spine on each side. Blade in good overall condition. The scabbard is very nice. It has a very nice red leather covering with two pierced silver mounts. The upper scabbard mount with floral designs and the lower scabbard mount with two fish. A quality Kukri knife of unusual size.

$495

Old Nepalese Kukri dagger with nicely decorated scabbard. This kukri measures 16 3/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood with nice patina showing some wear and with one age crack to one side. Steel bolster. Good forward curving blade with some oxidation throughout. The scabbard is leather with some leather applique to the front side with fine stitching. Gives the front of the scabbard a nice decorative look. There are 2 bi-knives that accompany this Kukri. A good late 19th to early 20th century example.

$225

Nice Borneo Dayak Jimpul Sword with Sarawak 1892 dated coin guard. This sword measures 28 1/2” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle consists of the staghorn pommel that is very well carved. The carvings are done in relief around the sides and back of the pommel. There is some intricate and fine carving in the handle. The grip is finely braided rattan. The guard is a Sarawak coin that is dated 1892. One side of the coin says “Sarawak and 1892” and the opposite side says “C Brooke and Rajah”. Very nice curved blade with fine decorations at the forte along with a brass extension below the blade. The blade sports a good fuller on both sides and the blade widens towards the tip. The blade has a good sized chip out of it near the tip. Very good scabbard including a bone adornment on one side. Very nice rattan weaved wrap and the red and yellow rope attachment completes the ensemble. A very good and early, judging by the coin guard, Dayak Jimpul Sword.

$895

Flores Island Belida sword with rare twistcore blade. Belida swords are very scarce to begin with and to have an example with a super fine twistcore blade adds to the level of rarity for this example. The sword measures 35” in total length. The long handle is wood. There is a hollow out section on one side and a hole at the pommel. At one time there would have been some additional adornments around the handle that are now gone. The wood has a rich dark patina. There is an ivory section towards the bottom of the grip showing lovely color and patina. It sports a pewter guard and ferrule and a number of pewter inlays. Some of the inlays are missing. The blade is fantastic. It is narrow at the forte and widens towards the tip. It is forged of twistcore steel and demonstrates fine layering around the twistcore center panel. A rare sword with fine twistcore blade.

$1995

Very nice Filipino Talibon sword. This is an unusual Talibon variant given the handle style. The sword is a large one measuring 27 1/2” in total length. The handle is wood with a bifurcated pommel that turns down on each side but further down on one side. The grip sports brass or bronze ferrule, strap around the grip and a plate across the top of the pommel. The ferrule is faceted as is the grip. The guard is a thin brass sheet in the shape of a shield. It has a slight wiggle to it. The blade is very nice. Long blade with nice belly and a wide bevel. The opposite side is flat. Elongated tip. This Talibon variant is very well made and could represent a transition piece between the 19th century examples and the later mid 20th century examples. The blade on this one is almost on par with the good 19th century examples. It is well forged and shows many similarities to the older examples but is missing the thumb rest on the spine found on the earlier examples, but it is much nicer than the mid 20th century examples in quality of blade and hilt. The shield guard is likely a later addition. I would put this piece to the 1920-30’s with the shield guard being added later. A good quality Filipino sword.

$425

Nice Filipino Spanish American War Period Sword. This sword measures 28 1/2” in total length. The handle is likely Carabao horn with a spiral grip and a monster pommel. The monster head with a nice hairdo on the top that runs down the back of the head. It has an upturned nose and a mouthful of teeth. Fierce eyes. The guard is integral with the knuckle bow and is made from steel. The blade has a very slight curve with a good spine and has a wedge-shaped cross section. There are signs of lamination in the blade. A nice Spanish American war period Filipino sword.

Sold

Balinese dagger with figural handle and silver scabbard. This knife measures 16” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood and depicts a seated figure holding a snake or lizard that is biting the figures chest. The blade has a thick spine with a beveled edge and a hold punched through at the forte. A few areas of rusting. The scabbard has a wood core and is covered in sheet silver. The silver has some wrinkling and various dings but is a good quality silver. An interesting and unusual knife.

$395

South African Knobkerrie war club. This club is made from a dense hardwood and measures 29 1/2” in total length. The wood is black with a lighter brown tone on the ball head. Showing good patina and wear from use over the years. A nice ball head war club.

$125

Very nice, rare set of 3 African Baule Swords with shell scabbards. These 3 are being sold as a set and offer the buyer an opportunity to acquire very good examples of these prestige knives but also a very rare diminutive or child’s example. The largest example measures 17 1/4” long when measured in its scabbard and has a scabbard that is 4 1/2” at its widest. The middle-sized example is 14” long when measured in its scabbard that is 4” at its widest. The rare small example is 9 1/2” long measured in its scabbard that is 2” at its widest. Each example is well made with fine wood handles, the middle-sized example with fine lattice work carvings and each adorned in various ways with brass tacks. All 3 have leather scabbards with red spondylus shells to the front. The smallest example the leather has pulled apart and the blade sticks out from the bottom. Each example with good blade. Each on their own represent a fine African knife and together form a wonderful collection that will display very well.

$1995

Rare published African sword empute of the Lokele. This sword is pictures on p. 214 of the book “100 African Blades from 55 Collections” by Ethan Rider. He writes:

“Short sword and sheath, empute

Lokele/So/Mba/Angba/Topoke/Genya

Democratic Republic of Congo

Late 19th Century

This empute short sword is impressive without its sheath. It has a heavy pommel made of solid iron, a wood handle wrapped in copper and brass, and a blade that is covered with incredibly precise incising. Most empute blades have no sheath, and some of the few that do have one that is slim and plain. The most elaborate empute swords come with a sheath like the one seen here: oversized and decorated with two huge iron discs. This design element is entirely unique to empute swords and is a beautiful, highly distinctive style. “

Another interesting feature of this piece is the hole at the top of the scabbard. It goes all the way through and is likely a bullet hole. No telling how that got there but what a fascinating story to know. The sword measures 16 1/2” long when measured in its scabbard. A very fine published African sword.

$1495

Nice African Baule Sword with fine leather scabbard. This African sword from the Ivory Coast measures 21” in total length when measured in its scabbard which is 5” at its widest point across the top. The handle is wood with a georgeous patina. The iron forged blade is more narrow at the forte and then widens in the middle. It is 4 1/4” at its widest point so a nice big blade. It features a midrib with depressed areas next to it with dark brownish patina. The scabbard is lovely. It is a brown leather with fine stitching to the reverse. There is an old collection number “14” in white ink on one side of the scabbard. The leather has a lovely patina and sheen to it. A nice old Baule sword.

$595

Good African sword with scabbard. It is a large sword measuring 25” when measured outside of the scabbard. I am unsure exactly where this sword originates but my guess is either Benge or Yaka. The handle is wood with brass tacks. The blade is forged of iron and has an elongated tip with some geometric motif on the scabbard along with an interesting pattern down the center of the blade. The scabbard is wood with a round bottom. It has rattan wrap around the scabbard halves to hold it together.

$195

Algerian Flyssa Sword with rare, curved blade. This sword measures 31 3/4” in total length. Typical brass Flyssa handle with decorations to the brass throughout. The blade is most unusual as it is curved. The blade has a thick spine and typical Flyssa style decorations to the blade on both sides. Blade is fairly clean with a little oxidation. The scabbard is wood with brass bands. One side of the scabbard has nice zig zag carvings along with decorations down the center portion of the scabbard. The opposite side is uncarved. A very nice variant with a rare, curved blade.

$425

Rare Ottoman Algerian Corsairs Sword. It is pictured in Eric Claudes book “The Small Catalogue of Moroccan and Algerian Edged Weapons” on p. 210 and formerly in the author’s collection. The author attributes the sword to the 17th/18th century. The sword measures 33 1/2” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is horn, likely bovine or sheep, with good patina and in Yataghan eared pommel form. Some wear and minor delamination of horn in a few spots. There is a brass tang band and brass ferrule. The blade is the early style that is narrow at the forte and widens at the tip with yelman. The blade has a wider fuller and then 3 narrow fullers on both sides. There is an additional fuller above all 4 at the forte area for a few inches. The 3 narrow fullers run longer on the blade than the wider one. The 3 narrow fullers have X stamped markings on each side. The spine also has double narrow fullering. Long false edge to yelman which runs about 9 1/4”. The scabbard is brass with floral decorations to the front and line/X shape decorations to the reverse. The suspension belt is leather. A rare Algerian sword.

$1295

Javanese Keris Sword with Fine Damascus Pamor Blade. This Keris measures 20 3/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood, of a light brown color, nicely faceted with carvings. The mendak is brass with red and white stones. Very nice blade. It sports a bold pamor pattern with pools next to the median ridge line which represents a stem or line running up the center of the pooling pattern on each side. This pamor pattern is known as Bonang Sarenteng or Rineenteng “set of gamelan instruments”. It is really well executed on a stout beefy blade. The scabbard has a nice wood wrangka in a matching light wood color with the stem wrapped in brass with the front decorated in a floral pattern.

$495

Very Nice Javanese Keris Sword of Pellet Wood and Bold Damascus Blade. This Keris measures 19 3/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle and scabbard are made from Pellet wood. This light brown wood has dark stripes and patterns throughout and was a popular upscale wood choice for Keris. The mendak is brass with roped borders and multi-color stone. The blade is very nice and mesmerizing to me. I took a lot of pictures of the blade because I love the pattern. It is a bold, very tight and active pattern throughout. Looking throughout the blade on both sides you see a lot of activity and patterns but it is the tight, well forged pattern that really takes the cake. The scabbard, as mentioned, of pellet wood and of lovely grain and contrast between the light wood and the dark lines. A very nice Javanese Keris.

$495

Nice Javanese Keris Sword with Pellet Wood and Rare Pamor Blade. This Keris measures 19 1/2” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood which is light brown in the base with nice contrasting dark wood sections and lines. The handle is faceted and carved. The mendak is brass or bronze. The stout blade with a rare and interesting pamor. The blade has a black background with silvery lines that just run along the edges and down the center portion of the blade. This seems a very well controlled pamor. The scabbard has a lovely carved and shaped wrangka of the pellet wood. A nice Keris.

$349

Nice Sumatran Bugis Keris with Strong Beefy Blade. This Keris measures 17” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood with Jawa Demam style handle and nice brass mendak. The stout, beefy blade with no waves and slight cant to one side. Visible pamor pattern to the blade. Nice wood scabbard to complete the ensemble.

$395

Javanese Keris Sword with Strong Nice Pamor Blade. This Keris measures 19 1/2” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood, with nice grain and contrasting lines, and is faceted with carvings. The mendak is very nicely crafted with beaded edges and finely executed decorations. The strong, beefy blade with nice bold pamor pattern. The scabbard has a lovely wood wrangka with fine grain and color contrast with an alloy sleeve with a strip of wood inserted down the center panel. A nice complete Javanese Keris.

$249

Large East Javanese Keris Sword. This Keris measures 21” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is done in what looks like an abstract figure and is faceted. It is a two toned wood. The mendak is a metal alloy with some areas of wear. The blade is large and beefy with a bold visible pamor. The scabbard is quite nice. The wood is two toned and has some interesting lines/grain throughout. A good example of an East Javanese Keris.

$225

Nice Lombok Keris Sword. This Keris measures 24 3/8” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is metal, with the grip done in an alternating pattern of a triangle with tiny carvings to fill in the space with a triangle with no decoration. There is a lot of work in this handle. The top with decorative curling metal bar that extends up on the cup shaped pommel. The base of the grip with multi-color glass or stones and the mendak below this with multi-color glass or stones. The blade shows layering and laminations. There are several edge nicks and the blade has some wear and oxidation throughout. Nice wood scabbard with lovely grain.

$295

Sumatran Keris Sword from Riau with Silver Adorned Handle and Silver Gangya. This Keris measures 21 1/2” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The large ivory handle is well carved and has been adorned with silver throughout. The eyes have silver covers, on top of the pommel and on the back is a filigree silver piece, one with a red stone and one with a blue stone along with some other pieces of silver. No doubt a previous owner of this Keris wanted to bring attention to themselves with this unusual and nice adornment. The mendak is a large brass cup. Another very unusual and interesting feature is the gangya is made from silver. The straight double edged blade with some ribbing at the forte and median ridge through the rest. The scabbard is wood with nice grain. There is a silver band at the top of the stem. At the very bottom of the stem is an inlaid piece of black wood or horn. An interesting, unusual and one of a kind Bugis Keris.

$995

Very Nice Silver Mounted Balinese Keris Sword. This sword measures 27” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood in the cekah solas style and has numerous silver plates added to it. The silver on the handle is finely decorated with well carved designs. The mendak is brass with glass or stones inset into bevels with 3 of the 8 stones/glass missing. the mendak has some wiggle to it. The wavy blade with nice silvery pamor against a darker background. Some oxidation throughout. The scabbard is quite lovely. Nice wood wrangka with the stem covered in silver wrap. The front is deeply carved and well decorated over the entire surface. The back with the top and bottom with deeply carved and well decorated areas with the center panel of plain silver with more simple line and floral decorations.

$795

Javanese Keris Sword with Very Nice Gilt Brass Scabbard. This Keris measures 20 1/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood, with nice grain, which is faceted and carved. Nice mendak with white stones. Nice wavy blade with a visible pamor pattern showing in lighter colors and nice contrast to the darker blade background. The scabbard has a wood wrangka of a nicely grained wood and then the scabbard is a gilt brass with fine floral carvings to the front.

$149

Bugis Keris Sword from Sulawesi with Ruby Eyes. This Keris measures 16 1/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood with a lovely patina and sheen. The most interesting thing about the handle is the ruby eyes. The stone, possibly glass, eyes are well faceted and has a deep red color and it reflects/catches the light nicely. The mendak is horn done in an urn shape and the horn has some translucency. The stout blade with a laminated gangya and just a few waves. The center panel of pamor steel with the edge zone clearly delineated. The scabbard is wood with fine grain and patina. A nice and rare piece with the eyes.

$795

Bugis Keris Sword from Sulawesi or Sumbawa with Twistcore Blade. This Keris measures 19” in total length when measured in it scabbard. The handle is wood in rekko style with brass mendak with decorations and scalloped edges. The blade is quite nice. It has an inserted panel of twistcore steel. The pattern has a lighter, almost silvery colored background with the twists in a blackish color that matches the coloration of the rest of the blade. The gangya with fine horizontal laminations. Very nice and attractive blade. The scabbard is wood with nice grain.

$795

Madurese Keris Sword with Lovely Well Carved Ivory Handle. This Keris measures 18 7/8” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is lovely. It is ivory and very well carved. You have a winged horse on the front and then lots of floral decor throughout the rest of the handle. The mendak is brass. The blade is a strong, stout blade with slight cant. The pamor is clear and bold throughout. The scabbard is quite nice. The wood wrangka is very well shaped and carved with fine patina and grain. The stem is wood, with fine grain and patina with brass wrap. The wood on the scabbard has nice black lines that contrast well with the brownish base wood color. A fine and complete Madurese Keris.

$595

Sumatran Palembang Keris sword with rare Fossilized Elephant Molar Handle. This Keris measures 17 3/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is made from fossilized elephant molar featuring a deity that is bent over with bulging eyes and long nose. The mendak is silver and nicely chiseled. The blade has a lovely pamor of flowing silver lines against a dark background. The scabbard has a lovely wood wrangka with lovely grain and patina. The scabbard stem is covered in what looks like a silver alloy with fine chiseling to the front side and decorations to the reverse side. A very nice Keris with rare handle.

$995

Sumatran Minangkabau Kris sword. This Keris measures 17” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood, finely carved in a bird or garuda form that is seated with hands on knees. The mendak is silver and nicely carved. The straight and slightly canted blade with visible pamor to each side and blade in good shape overall. The scabbard is quite nice. Lovely well carved wood wrangka with the stem covered in well decorated silver. There is an additional silver piece to the front of the scabbard with a hanging chain with silver carved orb. The bottom of the scabbard with a lovely carved and decorated piece. An attractive Keris with unusual handle and very nice scabbard.

$795

Balinese Keris with Figural Handle and Nice Silver Mounted Scabbard. This Keris measures 25 1/2” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is a seated figure with their right hand touching their shoulder. The handle is either a black wood or horn and is well carved. The mendak is brass with multi-color stone or glass. The blade is straight and double edged with a high median ridge. It sports a silver pamor against a dark background. The scabbard is very nice and well made. It has a wood wrangka with nice burled grain. The stem is wood with two recessed areas below the top silver mount which is silver and nicely carved in a floral pattern. The bottom mount is also silver with nice carvings. The back of the scabbard is completely covered in silver. The top and bottom chiseled in high relief in a floral pattern. The middle section with some more simple line carvings. A nice well made Keris made in the 2nd half of the 20th century.

$395

Balinese Keris with Figural Handle and Nice Pamor Blade. This Keris measures 25” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is a figure, in the seated position with right arm to shoulder, and well carved overall. The handle is either a black wood or horn. The mendak with multi-color stones. The straight blade with blackened blade with a fine pamor pattern down the center portion of the blade. The scabbard has a very nice stem covered in a silver alloy that is well carved in a floral pattern. The wrangka appears to be horn. A nice, well made Keris that probably was made in the 2nd half of the 20th century.

$225

Nice Old Complete Javanese Keris Sword. This Keris measures 19 1/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood and is faceted and carved. Mendak is brass with roped borders and stacked twisted wire in the center portion. Heavy stout blade with fine longitudinal layering. Some wear to the edges of the blade. The scabbard with nice wood wrangka and the stem is wrapped in a metal alloy with an exposed wood section on one side. A nice complete Javanese Keris.

$149

Rare Transcaucasian Armenian sword. This is a large sword measuring 40 1/4” when measured in its scabbard. The handle is four sided and brass with detailed floral carving on each side of the handle. A simple oval guard has been welded to the handle. The blade takes on the shape/form of a Persian Quaddara sword but much larger. The blade measures 33 3/8” long and is 1 5/8” wide. There is a stamped makers mark on one side with Arabic script. There are three fullers on each side. A wide one and two more narrow ones that run along the spine. Elongated tip that has rounded with age. The scabbard has a wood core with brass mounts with floral carvings ensuite with the handle. The chape of the scabbard is in a dragons head as is often found on Ottoman Yats and daggers. The central section has a faded velvet covering that has been placed over the original leather that is still underneath. The use of brass for the handle and mounts along with the general feeling this is a TransCaucasian sword leads me to believe it could be an Armenian sword. A very fine, rare and uncommon sword.

$1495

Interesting Timor Sword with Sundang Style handle. This sword measures 24” when it is measured in its scabbard. The handle reminds me a bit of a Malaysian sundang handle. It looks like a Kakatua bird handle. The construction is quite different though. It is made of wood with a split on each side of the lower half of the handle. The tang fits in on one side and the opposite side has a piece of metal that runs up from the ferrule. There is also a rivet on each side. The metal has some type of residue that presumably was used to help secure the handle to the tang. Has a brass ferrule and a square guard. The thin, flexible blade has a black patina with some patches of oxidation/rusting. There are quite a few nicks along the spine. Unsure what caused so many nicks in the spine of the sword. The scabbard is wood with twine wrap at the top. An unusual sword most likely of Timorese origin.

$225

Chinese Scholar Jian Sword. This sword measures 23” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is reeded wood, one age crack but the handle is holding solid with no looseness, with brass pommel, ferrule and guard with matching Bat and Chinese symbol decor. There is a collection number on the ferrule that matches the one on the scabbard. There is a hole towards the top of the handle that would have held a tassel. Solid blade with high median ridge, sharp edges and a V-shaped tip (the very tip rounded off) with some oxidation throughout. Likely a laminated blade. The scabbard is a wood core with a tortoiseshell veneer that only about 30% of it remains. The mounts are complete and ensuite with the handle. Late 19th to early 20th century.

$195

Nice Old fighting Indian Tulwar sword. This sword measures 35” in total length. Nice large Tulwar shaped handle with good dark patina. There is a rivet with decorative washer on each side of the handle to add additional security for the handle to the blade. The blade is wide with a nice gradual sweeping curve. The blade has a good bit of oxidation and patina with some areas of pitting. This is a blade that seems to have seen some action. The blade is of tripartite construction where you have an inserted edge in the cheeks of the body of the blade. You can make out some of the layering in the blade. Nice strong beveled edge. Big strong sword. Would date to the first half of the 19th century.

$395

Interesting Indonesian Beladau Jambiya dagger. This knife measures 14 1/2” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is polished bone in an I shape, a bit assymetrical, with waisted grip and a carved line around the center kind of like you see on a Nepalese Khukri handle. A second piece of bone is attached at the very bottom of the grip. There is an age split on one side but the handle is holding firm with no wiggle to the blade. The blade is an old Moroccan Koummya blade. Very sharp edge and the secondary edge as well with median ridge running down the center of the blade to the tip. The scabbard is curved with a bone top piece and bone chape. The center section is wood of very nice grain. The mounts very closely match those of an Indonesian Beladau dagger and they have utilized an imported blade probably through European (Dutch/French) or Arabic trade connections. The scabbard is made for this blade and has been together for quite some time. Probably first half of the 20th century.

$995

Interesting and Unusual Chinese Korean 19th Century Jian Sword with German Blade. This is a fascinating sword with several cultural influences but a piece that has been together for a long time. The sword measures 36” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The scabbard is leather, with no wooden core, with a red lace cord wrapped for about a little over half of its length. The scabbard fits the blade perfectly with just a slight protrusion of the blade from the very bottom. This style of scabbard is found in Southern China and the red cord over leather feature is found on Southern Chinese fighting knives and some Vietnamese ones as well. The blade is a German blade and is very clearly stamped on both sides “Patent P D Luneschloss Soligen”. There are two half moons facing opposite with faces at the forte. The blade and the markings are nearly mint. Luneschloss have been in business since 1810 and in the 19th century exported triple fullered blades, like this example, to Africa, India, and other parts of the world where they were mounted up in local fashion. The handle has a very Korean shape and looks to have been rehilted at some point in its life. There is the addition of a second ferrule which isn’t common in either Korean or Chinese swords. The pommel has an extended tang with nut. The nut is not a modern nut and similar to those found in 19th century work. The guard is more Korean in style than Chinese but is atypical of both. While Korean guards have the D shaped hole ( a stylistic imitation of the Japanese style for a bi-knife) they don’t typically have the two additional small circular holes. Chinese guards typically don’t have either feature. The decoration on the ferrule, guard and pommel cap are en suite and feature floral sprays. The balance and feel are quite good. It really feels great in the hands and the blade is sharp and with a nice V shaped point.

All in all, a very interesting sword that would be great if it could talk. Late 19th to early 20th century Chinese, with possible later Korean connections, with imported mint German blade. A rare one of a kind item.

$1495

Chinese Dao sword with nice chiseled brass mounts. This sword measures 30 1/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle consists of the grip with its original wrap including wrist strap with chiseled brass mounts to the pommel and ferrule. The guard is also brass with fine chiseling to the top side. All mounts done in a nice floral decor. The blade is laminated and shows an active hamon with a secondary hamon around the center portion of the blade but above the hamon along the edge. The scabbard has a wood core and is covered in rayskin that has been dyed green. The top mount and suspension bar of chiseled brass with floral decor. It is missing its chape. A nice Chinese sword.

$595

Rare Chinese Long Jian of the Republican Era. Chinese Jian of this length are getting hard to come by. This is an example from the early Republican era so circa 1900-1930. It measures 41” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The long handle features a thick brass pommel, ferrule and a nice guard. The grip was originally covered in rayskin and you can see a bit of it beneath the wrap. The rayskin has been covered with a cloth wrap done in strips to wrap around. The blade features a thick forte which transitions to a double edged blade with median ridge. The blade, as was vogue during this period, was nickel plated. There is an inscription at the forte on one side that roughly translates to “Longquan Sword”. The opposite side has etched tree or floral decoration. The blade has oxidation throughout and some wear to the plating. There are a couple of edge nicks/sword cuts at the lower third of the blade. The blade is fairly thin in this section giving the blade a good bit of flexibility. The scabbard has its original brass mounts but the wood scabbard you would typically expect to find has been replaced at some point with a metal scabbard. It holds the mounts and blade and takes on the general shape/form of what the original would have looked like. The blade also has some irregularities/unevenness in the lower third below the area of the edge damage.

$595

Tibetan short sword with scabbard. This knife measures 19 1/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle consists of a wood grip wrapped in leather that is four sided. The pommel is iron with remnants of silver koftgari around the pommel rim and inside the pommel. There is a silver bezel on one side missing its stone and on the reverse is a brass washer with steel ring to hold a tassel. The guard is a thick cup shaped guard with some chiseled areas to one side. The blade is likely a cut down sword blade repurposed into a knife. You can see the blade was tempered at the tip area based on the hamon and darkened area here. Blade retains a sharp edge. The scabbard has a wood core wrapped in leather with fine stitching to the reverse. The upper portion is wrapped in cloth and the very bottom of the scabbard is covered in fur. It is a coarse fur so possibly horse or yak hair.

$349

Unusual and unique African knife most likely Baule. This knife measures 16 1/4” in total length. The handle is an unusual and uniquely shaped one. It looks like a dumbbell with a faceted six sided grip and then the two dumbbells with head/face carvings two on each of the dumbbell. There is also a flat knob around the dumbbell as well. It is done in a way so that each way you turn the dumbbell you get a face on one and a flat knob on the other. The most interesting thing about the handle is that it is wood that has been covered in a super thin material. I can’t tell if it is very thin leather or some kind of coating of something. There is a very small area of loss on the grip and upon very close look it looks like a super thin layer of leather over the wood. The faces must get rubbed often as their faces have a smooth glossy patina and it is the wood that is exposed here and not the leather covering. The blade has a dark patina and some pitting and features designs on both sides of the blade. I have never seen an African knife quite like this one before.

$495

Very good African Manding dagger with scabbard. A very attractive knife that measures 13 1/8” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood with brass bindings and a bell shaped brass pommel. The top band is missing about half of its wrap. The brass with decorations. Very intricate work in the handle. Nice clean, sharp blade with a central fuller, double edges and chiseled decorations along the central fuller. The scabbard features leather sections of brown and black color and brass bands with decorations. The very bottom of the scabbard is leather over wood. This section the wood core has broken and it moves around. It is stable when the blade is inserted. Again, very nice workmanship throughout the scabbard. All in all, a very well made knife with intricate detailed work.

$349

African Tuareg brass handled dagger with sheath. This knife measures 15 5/8” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is cast brass which features a cross design in the pommel within a diamond shaped outline with knobs on the two sides and the top. The slender grip is covered with X shaped designs. The ferrule with intricate line carvings. The double edged blade is hand hammered and likely shaped from scrap metal versus being forged. The scabbard is leather with fine stitching along the back and nice tooled decorations to the front. The leather is split on each side from the blade coming in contact as it is pulled and replaced. There is a single long leather tassel attached to the scabbard. An attractive knife.

$325

Massive Hungarian Croatian Balkan Pandour sword with Yataghan handle. This sword measures 25 3/4” in total length with a blade that is 2 1/4” wide at the forte and widens to 2 7/8” at its widest point near the tip. It is a massive blade. It features a central fuller and then a shorter but wide fuller under the spine. The handle is horn and with ears like you find on a Yataghan sword. Some losses/delamination to the horn in some areas but still holding this massive blade solid. Plain iron ferrule. Wide cross guard with downturned quillons shaped either like a boot or a birds head. The blade has etchings in German on both sides that loosely translates to “Don’t pull me out without cause but when is distress to man so can use me whoever needs me”. It has a similar tone to it as the Spanish motto found on many blades “Don’t draw me without cause and don’t sheath me without honor”. This sword with the yataghan handle and European cleaver style blade is a combination often found within the Pandours. These assembled forces of various ethnic groups under the command of von Trenck were essentially auxiliaries for the armies of Maria Theresa during the War of the Austrian Succession against Frederick II (The Great) of Prussia.

Von Trenck (1711-1749) though born in Palermo, the son of an Austrian officer, was actually Prussian with Austrian citizenship and estates in Croatia (Slovenia). He apparantly had a turbulent and complex 'career' in his military service, serving as a mercenary with Russia, later Austria,where despite imprisonments, death sentences and other disciplinary issues he was made a colonel in command of pandours in 1744.

These forces were essentially 'grenzer' (German= border guards) initially from Croatian mercenaries on Austro-Ottoman borders, presumably partially from a number of his estates, likely including other ethnic groups and some from Hungary and Poland. The likely origin for the sword is Hungarian, Croatian or Balkan. Late 18th to early 19th century.

$1895

Fantastic Ottoman Khanjar dagger with extensive gold inscription on blade. This impressive dagger measures 19 3/4” in total length. The handle is walrus tusk with nice patina. There is a blue stone inlaid at the base of the handle on both sides. The slightly curving blade with crisp well defined fullers down the central portion on both sides features an extensive gold koftgari inscription on both sides of the forte. The translations are as follows. One one side “Ma Shaa Allah Kan” which is Whatever Allah wills, will be. “Inna Fatahna laka fathan mubeenan” which is Verily we have granted thee a mainfest victory. “Wayansuraka Allahu nasran AAAzeezan” which translates to And that Allah may help thee with powerful help. On the opposite side the inscriptions are “Abdulla Aghah Rahma Waseya” which is Owner is Abdulla Aghah Rahma Waseya. “Nasrun mina Allahi wafathun qarreebun wabashshiri almumineena” which translates to Allah will bestow help and speedy victory so give the Glad Tidings to the Believers. Final one is “Tawakalto Allal Allah” which translates to In Allah I Trust. On one side of the blade is a gold koftgari axe. There are some heart shaped decorations done in gold koftgari at both sides of the blade. All in all, a very fine Ottoman dagger.

$2495

Rare goat pommel steel handled Indian dagger with wootz blade. This knife measures 11 1/4” in total length. It features a rare all steel handle with a goat pommel carved in fine detail. First time I have seen a goat pommel done in steel. The blade is forged of damascus wootz steel with fine patterning. Some areas of oxidation and wear. The blade has some wiggle and is a bit loose from the handle. You can see the pins for the blade that insert into the handle and they have come loose. This can most likely be repaired and tightened. A really nice Indian Kard dagger with goat pommel.

$695

Very large and nice African Fang Sword. This is a huge example. In researching published examples most were in the 19 to 22” range and I did find one at 24”. This example, measured out of the scabbard, is 27 3/4” in total length. It sports a massive blade that is 20 1/4” long and 3 1/4” at its widest point. The handle is cylindrical with a brass pommel cap and an iron banded grip. Below this is a wood carved section and an extended wood section that sits in the open tang of the sword. It is wrapped at the base in metal wire. There is some wood loss that would have originally covered the extended metal piece at the top of the tang. The blade is massive. It is double edged with a long extended point. There are two fullers on both sides that have old black scale with the remaining portions of the blade polished out. There are some line carvings at the forte of the blade on both sides. The scabbard is some form of reptile skin over a wood core. A very attractive Fang sword of larger than normal proportions.

$995

Fantastic African Chieftan Tebu dagger large example with wide blade. This is the nicest Tebu dagger I have seen or owned. It measures 20 3/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle has a slim grip that is covered in well worked leather that is black and brown with the mid grip of reptile skin with leather laced in between. The pommel is an iron arrowhead. The blade measures 11 7/8” long and is 2 1/2” wide at the forte. The blade has lovely geometric designs carved into it. The decoration is on both sides. The scabbard is leather with a leather armband at the top with leather tassels. The body of the scabbard is leather and ribbed. The fish tail bottom of the scabbard is covered in reptile skin. there is an old tag that states “South Africa Chieftan’s Fish Dagger”. Of course, the Tebu are found in Chad in the North of Africa. The overall quality of this piece and the size of it do indicate it was owned be a person of status and possibly a Chieftan so I can agree with that portion of the tag. A very fine Tebu dagger of great quality and size.

$525

Nice Moroccan Shula short sword. It measures 25 3/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The I shaped handle is wood that is covered completely in brass. The front side with decorative stippling and the reverse plain. The slightly curved blade with triple fullers to both sides with a series of X markings to both sides. The blade gradually tapers to a very long point that is slightly bent and rounded at the tip. The scabbard is wood that is completely covered in brass. Very nice stippled decorations to the front and plain on the back. A good and complete example of the type.

$225

Moro Kris sword with Mother of Pearl on scabbard. This sword measures 27 1/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle consists of a metal ferrule a twine wrapped grip in alternating sections of smooth and braided with a nice faceted wood pommel. The half wavy, half straight blade has visible laminations particularly along the cutting edges in the form of a hamon. Double pierced fretwork and a well sculpted elephants trunk round out the top of the blade. There are two white metal clamps. The blade has a shallow fuller in the straight section of the blade with a carved floral decoration at the top of this fuller. The scabbard is wood with the front of the top piece covered in Mother of Pearl with fine carvings and lovely black background in sections to provide a very nice contrast. The majority of the scabbard is covered in thin rattan strips. All in all, an attractive sword.

$595

Madurese Keris with very good scabbard. This piece will restore nicely. It is missing a mendak but it has a very nice blade and the scabbard is quite nice. The handle is a well carved ivory with lots of floral decorations. There is a crack to each side but the piece holds solid. The blade with round tang and an interesting elephants trunk. Nice pamor steel and the blade has very elegant waves. The scabbard is very nice. The top wood piece is nicely shaped and of a lovely grain. The scabbard sleeve appears to be a silver alloy with decent silver content with the front side very finely carved with various decorations. The back of the scabbard is plain with the exception of a fern or some type of leaf decoration. Some very nice components to this Keris.

$249

Rare Vietnamese Coin sword shaped like a Guom. This is a nice and complete example measuring 25 1/2” in total length. It is interesting in that it is shaped like a Vietnamese Guom sword with a guard and the shape of the “blade” is curved like on a saber. The grip is either wood or bone that has been painted red. There are 100 coins on this sword. A few of the coins are French IndoChina coins from 1939 but most of the coins seem to be earlier Chinese or possibly Vietnamese coins with the square center, rimmed edge and inscription on the face of the coin. I have not researched any of the coins but there could be some nice old ones or maybe some that are a bit rare. For me, it is a nice complete example in a rare form and likely Vietnamese in origin. These coin swords served a talismanic purpose.

$395

Impressive Old Style Unknown Spearhead with Turned Wood Grip. This spearhead origin is unknown to me, but it has a number of characteristics that I found interesting. The first is the shape of the spearhead. It has a flared base, which is thick at this bottom section, with a narrow blade that widens towards the tip and then comes together in a V-Tip. It has a strong pronounced central ridge. To me, this is an early blade shape found throughout Asia and Indonesia and surrounding islands. The blade is well made of quality steel but is not in polish to determine the metallurgy of the blade. It has a socket ferrule that is mounted to a turned wood handle with a brass pommel with brass ring. The wood is faceted and has a Victorian, late 19th century feel to it. Reminds me of some British truncheons of the period. So, my guess is that it is a Colonial find, probably SE Asia or the Indonesian Archipelago that was mounted up as a trophy sometime in the mid to late 19th century. The spearhead could be from the same time period but is likely a century or two older. A very fine ensemble worthy of some additional research.

$795

Balinese Tombak Sword with Interesting Handle. This tombak measures 18 1/4” long when measured in its scabbard. The handle is interesting. It depicts a figure with an elaborate head dress that seems to include a mask over the eyes. It is seated with arms crossed across its midsection and an apron or some form of clothing is hanging between the legs. It is carved from wood. The mendak is quite unusual. It is a thick piece of metal with some bronze coating that is mostly worn off with a raised central section. The wavy blade exhibits a pamor pattern and features two holes at the base of the blade. The scabbard is plain wood. The blade is likely quite old.

$249

African Songye sword with copper blade. This is a large decorative sword measuring 23 1/2” in total length. Features a large wood handle of a Janus, two opposing heads, with a copper finial to the top. The base of the handle with brass tacks. The scabbard has a face on the front of the scabbard along with some reptile skin. The outer edges of the scabbard have been laced with rattan. The blade is made from copper. It shows some age but isn’t very old. Probably circa 1970’s.

$125

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