RSword Antique Blades

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

Rare Filipino Peranakan dagger. The Peranakan community in the Philippines are of Straights Chinese descent. This is an old example probably dating back to the late 19th to early 20th century. The knife measures 15 1/4” when measured out of its scabbard. The handle is comprised of wood slab grips with five brass rivets on each side each with a star shaped steel washer. The pommel is a stacked pommel alternating a brass plate with a steel with notched edges up to the top brass plate which is then peined over. There is a steel band at the base of the grip and also at the top under the pommel. There is a brass tunkou at the base of the blade. The blade has an attractive shape with it narrow at the forte and then widening to a deeper belly more towards the tip of the blade. It comes with oxidation and some pitting on both sides. The scabbard is wood with horn bands that are interlocked on the back. It is not a perfect fit so it may not be original to this knife but it works as a suitable holder now. An unusual and rare knife that I haven’t encountered previously.

$595

Interesting Javanese Keris Sword with Pedang Style Blade with Inscription. This sword measures 25 3/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood with a dark stripe at the center of the grip with very nice floral carvings at the top and bottom of the grip. The mendak is two stacked discs of brass or bronze. The blade is nice and interesting. More like a pedang blade at the forte but with Keris like wavy blade in the lower half. On each side of the blade at the forte is an inscription. I can’t make it out as it is fairly faint but under magnification it might be able to be determined what it says. The blade has some layering and some oxidation and pitting. The scabbard has a nice wood wrangka with fine grain and the stem is covered in a silver alloy that is very finely carved in various designs. What is nice is that these decorations are done full length of the scabbard on both sides. A rare sword.

$695

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

Javanese Keris Sword with Big Beefy Blade and Pellet Wood handle and scabbard. This Keris measures 20 1/2” in total length. The handle is wood, with darker lines which provide nice contrast to the lighter wood and is faceted with carvings. The mendak is done in an open wire basket form. I haven’t seen one quite like this one before. Big beefy heavy blade. The blade is dark but the pamor pattern is visible to both sides. The scabbard is wood with a bunch of the darker spots and lines which are a darker brown and contrast nicely with the lighter brown base. Some dings and imperfections to the scabbard. A nice old Javanese Keris.

$249

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

Javanese Keris Sword with Wayang Figural Handle. This Keris measures 19 3/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is dark wood, is faceted with carvings as typical of Javanese Handles, with a Wayang head for the pommel. The mendak is a white metal with beaded edges. Nice wavy blade with a very good pamor of swirling silvery lines against a dark background. The blade also has some nice chiseling at the forte. Very nice scabbard with finely carved and shaped wood wrangka and the stem covered in an alloy metal with no carvings or decorations. A bit of an unusual Javanese keris with the Wayang figure and a nice blade.

$249

Balinese Keris Sword with Nice Old Blade. This Keris measures 27 1/4” in total length when it is measured in its scabbard. The handle is a gilt brass of a seated figure with hands clasped together at the waist. It is adorned with various multi-color stone or glass throughout the handle and the base of the handle. The mendak also is brass with multi-color stone or glass. Nice older blade with a silvery pamor against a darker background. There are two edge nicks to the upper half of the blade on one side. Nice large scabbard with very nice wood wrangka with tow tone wood and the stem of matching two tone wood. The mounts in the scabbard are brass and well carved and decorated. The back of the scabbard with the upper mount that is finely carved and decorated and then some additional decoration at the very bottom of the scabbard.

$495

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 Keris Panjang Sword with Finely Carved Handle. This Keris measures 24 3/4” in total length. A medium sized example of this form. The handle is a black wood and very finely carved. The carving is deep which gives it an almost open work design. The mendak is brass. The double edged blade is straight with fine gangya. The blade has some fine micro-pitting throughout and has received many washings as the edges have some wear to them. Nice scabbard with well carved wood wrangka and wood stem with silver alloy at the top with 6 alloy bands down the stem. Looks like 2 are missing. The very bottom of the scabbard with a bone or staghorn or possibly ivory piece.

$495

Large Lombok Keris Sword with Strong Blade. This large Keris measures 27 1/2” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood with carved details including an arch at the top of the pommel. The wood is heavily worn indicating it may have some age to it. The mendak appears to be a silver alloy and is a ring with buttons. The blade is quite old. The gangya has a slight wave in the middle and nice carvings and is wider than the forte of the blade. The blade is double edged with a median ridge with a strong cant to one side. The blade has a small delamination line in one area and a few other areas with the inner core of the blade is showing through. The scabbard is wood with dark lines throughout against a lighter wood background.

$395

Sumatran Keris sword with Carabao Horn Handle and Wrangka. This Keris measures 18 3/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle, in Putri Malu style, is made from black carabao horn. The grip is finely faceted throughout and it features a brass mendak. The blade has a wide forte which narrows to a slightly angled blade. The pamor shows nicely in silverly lines against a dark background. The scabbard is quite nice with the black carabao horn wrangka and then the sheath is brass over wood. The brass is finely carved on both sides of the upper half of the scabbard and then bands with twisted wire in between on the lower half. The very bottom of the scabbard is finely carved and matching in decor to the upper half of the scabbard. It is angled slightly to one side. A very nice Keris.

$695

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

Very nice Moro Barong sword. This sword measures 26 1/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is quite nice and large. There is a tall silver coin ferrule with beaded edges and then the large wood pommel with very high crest and long downward turned beak. There is a white metal disc on each side of the handle along with quite a few white metal nails. The upper crest is covered all around with the white metal plates. The top piece has come slightly loose. There is also a strip that runs along the top of the handle down the beak. Long blade with oxidation throughout shows a slight hamon along the cutting edge. Sharp blade. The scabbard is wood and nicely made. There is a very nice belt clip made of thick metal. There is some decoration to the top of the scabbard on one side. One small break to the scabbard on the cutting edge side. A very nice circa 1930-1940 Moro barong.

$495

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 sword from the Moluccus Islands. This short sword measures 24” in total length. The blade by itself is 16” long and is 2 1/2” at its widest point. The handle is wood and done in an abstract crocodile or possible a serpent, as the upper jaw is longer than the lower one. The grip is faceted. The ferrule, also faceted, is brass. The blade has an interesting shape with a semi elephants’ trunk at the forte and then the blade with a widening towards the tip. There are some scratches and oxidation to the blade. Not a very common sword.

$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

Indonesian Pedang Lurus sword with brass mounts and inlaid blade. This sword measures 25 1/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle guard and scabbard are made of some type of brass alloy. The handle and scabbard are carved and feature various floral designs. The blade is an interesting pamor blade featuring swirling and longitudinal patterning. There is a naga chiseled into the base of the blade which has been covered in a gold leaf and then above the naga body is a chiseled flower that is also covered in gold leaf. The chiseled flower is an interesting motif and not one that I recall seeing on a Lurus blade.

$325

Unusual and unique African knife most likely of the Songye. 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 figural knife most probably of the Dogon tribe with leather scabbard. This knife measures 17 1/8” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood with a head carved for the pommel. The shape of the head with a narrow face, long nose and then high arcing head really gives this pommel a strong presence. The hand hammered double edged blade has a fair amount of pitting but is clean. The scabbard is leather with tooled decorations to the front and very fine stitching to the reverse side.

$375

African figural knife of the Dogon with scabbard. This knife measures 14 1/2” when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood and features a female figure from the torso up with long arms resting below their belly and long protruding breasts. The head with conical shape and strong brow and narrow face. The base of the handle is wrapped with metal. The double edged blade is hand hammered. The scabbard is leather with tassels at the bottom. Perhaps used in fertility rituals. A nice African knife.

$425

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

Outstanding Large Moro Pira Hilted Barong sword. This very large Pira hilted barong measures slightly over 29” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is fantastic. It features a long silver ferrule and a massive wood handle with very long Pira extension. The wood is finely grained kamagong wood and the proportions are large. The top of the handle measures 9 3/4” from tip to tail. The tail is 2 1/4” wide. The very front of the beak is squared off but the patina is even and matched in this area to the rest of the handle. The blade measures 15 7/8” in length and is 2 3/4” at its widest point. The spine is 5/16” at forte. The scabbard is two wood halves held with rattan strips. The scabbard is a contemporary replacement made in the style of a Pira scabbard. A very high quality Moro sword.

$1995

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

Nice Indonesian Tjikeroeh 1892 dated Klewang sword. This sword measures 26 1/2” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is wood and is faceted with a carved Eagle head at the end of the handle. The head of the Eagle is very finely carved with intricate details. The forte of the blade is stamped Tjikeroeh 1892. The blade features a fuller at the top of the blade on both sides. There is very fine decorations in the fuller on both sides featuring floral designs. Some dirt/oxidation to both sides of the blade. The scabbard is wood with some losses at the bottom of the scabbard. The top of the scabbard has a carved throat piece that is loose from the body of the scabbard. A nice Tjikeroeh sword that is longer than what is generally encountered.

$395

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

Exceptional and Large African Khodmi dagger. This knife measures 17 1/8” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is 2 slabs of horn, probably goat or sheep, with 5 rivets to each side to secure it to the tang. Thick bolster with X designs around it. The triangular shaped blade is flat and undecorated on one side except for two holes and two drilled dimples. The opposite side has two fine lines carved, one along the spine and one just above a fuller that runs along the edge. Very unusual. There are two holes and two dimples and then some line decorations. The scabbard is brass with various types of decorations throughout. There are two loops on a band at the top of the scabbard for a belt loop. This is the largest and nicest khodmi knife I have seen.

$395

Indian dagger with Goat head pommel and armour piercing tip. This knife measures 13 1/4” in total length. The handle is polished horn with the pommel depicting a Goats head with long curling horns. The blade is flat on both sides and then swells at the point and is thickened in this area. Some oxidation at the tip of the knife. Goat pommel Indian knives are not that common.

$395

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

Very fine Javanese Keris sword with gold inlaid blade. This Keris measures 20 1/2” in total length when measured in its scabbard. The handle is Javanese style with facets and nice carvings. The large mendak has a lot of small diamond insets. I believe these are small diamonds because of the sparkle and reflective qualities in the lights. The blade is very nice with nice pamor, and more importantly, good quality gold inlay at the gangya side and top. Also, the singha, the seated lion, has some gold inlay as well. The scabbard wood is cool. The top piece has a bold flashing grain to one side and then a two toned color to the opposite side. The scabbard sleeve with a marking on one side which may be an identifier. A very good quality Keris.

$995 On Hold

Fine Madurese Keris sword with well carved scabbard. This Keris measures 18 1/4” in total length when measured in its scabbard. It features a very well carved ivory handle that features a winged dragon, winged horse and a crown as part of the carvings. The mendak appears to be brass with beaded decoration. The pamor blade with lines at the forte, an open space, and then more lines into an open space and this repeats throughout. An attractive pamor. The scabbard is quite lovely. The top piece is very well carved with a winged horse on each side with a crown. One side with a brass crown attached. The exposed wood down the center of the sleeve is also carved. The scabbard sleeve seems to be some type of alloy with some silver content to it. A really lovely Keris.

$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

Dayak Blowpipe spear from Borneo. This spear measures 70 1/2” long. The shaft if a dark hardwood with a hole carved from the bottom all the way to the top. Mounted to the top of the shaft is a spearhead that is mounted to the side of the pole and secured with rattan binding. A dart would be shot out of the shaft when hunting game. A nice piece.

$295 plus shipping

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