A rather well known US sword historian named Harold Peterson wrote a book about American military swords (published 1950 I think). One of his plates was the 1917 Naval Cutlass. Next to that plate was an example of the Dutch klewang. Only Peterson thought it was a non-regulation 1917. It was a mystery to him, but he describes it as the same in every way except the 1917 had a solid bowl guard, and this mystery cutlass had a guard with bars. That's why I believe the 1917 was actually the exact same sword with a slightly different guard.
It´s nice to listen to you! No artificial drama about swords and history. Errors which you have corrected in text are no big deal. Where are you located/from, out of curiosity? Best from Northern Germany
I seem to have forgotten to add it. Here it is: www.thepirateslair.com/9-m1898-m1941-klewang-cutlass.html Of course, there is also J.P. Puype's book: www.abebooks.com/9789051668360/Klewang-Catalogue-Dutch-Army-Museum-9051668368/plp But it's rather uncommon, and in Dutch.
Grazie! E sì, per i video porto le spade dove ho spazio per lavorare, montare le luci, e mostrare i dettagli senza dover riadattare la casa ogni volta.
I think I might have a clue on your Dutch Klewang, from what I know and from my own experience American produced Dutch Klewang is not that uniform, I have two of those one is from Milsco and the other one is Lilley-Ames and all of them is a compound of different parts. But what I could tell from yours is, it is Dutch Klewang in model but your scabbard is American M1917 model it is could be technically original because IIRC Dutch have a canceled batch of the sword from the American producer but since it is already been produced in the end they sold it to American Navy and it is make sense why the shethe is American if you think about it. BTW I'm an Indonesian, and I inherit two of my sword from my grandfather and none of the scabbard is like yours. Cheers🍻
That's very interesting, thank you! That scabbard just didn't make sense. It's obviously old, and not handmade, yet it didn't fit the pattern. What you say makes a lot of sense. I'll have some Piso podang videos coming out soon, you might be interested :). Cheers!
@@Rapiersdelight I see, if I may add some additional information. If it is the Piso Podang I'm thinking of then I could tell you it is the common sword for Sumatran or Malaccan back in the day, but it is most common in the tribe or people of Batak in northern Sumatra. In case you did mention it is pronounced Ba(as in BAllet) + tak(as in tuck). I'll just put it in here just in case XD Back to the sword. Pido Podang probably came from the old Malay language which literally translates as "knife sword", Piso=knife podang=sword. Why knife if you might ask? Probably it refers to the way it is used, piso(knife) in general is for cutting and slicing. Our old language works differently compared to today's, our old language usually refers to its function not the size. Now the design, the original and the earlier sword probably took inspiration from Middle Eastern or Indian Talwar, it is most likely because Sumatran especially northern Sumatran commonly do trades with them. However as time goes and Piso Podang became more spread to the east, it started to change shape on the hilt and adopted the local design. It technically could still be called a Piso Podang because we usually distinct swords by the blade, but for reference you could take a look at the hilt of a Mandau or Keris(kris) to see where it may take some different local influence. Hope this helps :D
@@kael629 This is really useful information, thank you very much! You can see the two swords in my recent unboxing video, if you are curious: th-cam.com/video/tiIWqA6kg4c/w-d-xo.html One has a straight blade, and one has a curved one. Both seem like they might be European export blades, but I will have to confirm that with some more research :)
I'm not a practitioner, but by all accounts I've read it seems likely. It's machete-like feel would make it perfect to clear a path in the Indonesian jungle, I would think
If you haven't already, please consider subscribing to the channel, it really helps. Happy collecting!
A rather well known US sword historian named Harold Peterson wrote a book about American military swords (published 1950 I think). One of his plates was the 1917 Naval Cutlass. Next to that plate was an example of the Dutch klewang. Only Peterson thought it was a non-regulation 1917. It was a mystery to him, but he describes it as the same in every way except the 1917 had a solid bowl guard, and this mystery cutlass had a guard with bars. That's why I believe the 1917 was actually the exact same sword with a slightly different guard.
Very interesting, thank you!
I have a 1898 model Klewang (made in Solingen) which was captured by the Japanese in WW2 and reworked into a Heiho. Great piece of history!
Heihos are quite fascinating, you're lucky to have one!
It´s nice to listen to you! No artificial drama about swords and history. Errors which you have corrected in text are no big deal. Where are you located/from, out of curiosity? Best from Northern Germany
Thank you very much, I appreciate your kind words! I'm based in the Netherlands, so we're neighbors:)
Awesome
It's a lovely sword!
What was the article you were referring to that allows you to identify your klewang? I don't see it mentioned in the description.
I seem to have forgotten to add it.
Here it is:
www.thepirateslair.com/9-m1898-m1941-klewang-cutlass.html
Of course, there is also J.P. Puype's book:
www.abebooks.com/9789051668360/Klewang-Catalogue-Dutch-Army-Museum-9051668368/plp
But it's rather uncommon, and in Dutch.
@@Rapiersdelight Thanks! I'm Dutch so that works for me, although $2000 used is a bit on the expensive side. 😅
Hee Jelle, zag er een op marktplaats voor 350 😉
@@bhycoo Ook dat is me een tikje te duur voor een boek vrees ik. Dan koop ik voor dat geld liever een klewang!
@@jellekastelein7316 bedoelde ook een klewang XD
Bel pezzo, molto vissuto.
P.S. Fin'ora non avevo capito che la stanza fosse a piano terra.
Grazie! E sì, per i video porto le spade dove ho spazio per lavorare, montare le luci, e mostrare i dettagli senza dover riadattare la casa ogni volta.
I think I might have a clue on your Dutch Klewang, from what I know and from my own experience American produced Dutch Klewang is not that uniform, I have two of those one is from Milsco and the other one is Lilley-Ames and all of them is a compound of different parts. But what I could tell from yours is, it is Dutch Klewang in model but your scabbard is American M1917 model it is could be technically original because IIRC Dutch have a canceled batch of the sword from the American producer but since it is already been produced in the end they sold it to American Navy and it is make sense why the shethe is American if you think about it.
BTW I'm an Indonesian, and I inherit two of my sword from my grandfather and none of the scabbard is like yours. Cheers🍻
That's very interesting, thank you! That scabbard just didn't make sense. It's obviously old, and not handmade, yet it didn't fit the pattern. What you say makes a lot of sense.
I'll have some Piso podang videos coming out soon, you might be interested :).
Cheers!
@@Rapiersdelight Batak?
@@kael629 I'm not sure, still doing research :)
@@Rapiersdelight I see, if I may add some additional information. If it is the Piso Podang I'm thinking of then I could tell you it is the common sword for Sumatran or Malaccan back in the day, but it is most common in the tribe or people of Batak in northern Sumatra. In case you did mention it is pronounced Ba(as in BAllet) + tak(as in tuck). I'll just put it in here just in case XD
Back to the sword. Pido Podang probably came from the old Malay language which literally translates as "knife sword", Piso=knife podang=sword. Why knife if you might ask? Probably it refers to the way it is used, piso(knife) in general is for cutting and slicing. Our old language works differently compared to today's, our old language usually refers to its function not the size.
Now the design, the original and the earlier sword probably took inspiration from Middle Eastern or Indian Talwar, it is most likely because Sumatran especially northern Sumatran commonly do trades with them. However as time goes and Piso Podang became more spread to the east, it started to change shape on the hilt and adopted the local design. It technically could still be called a Piso Podang because we usually distinct swords by the blade, but for reference you could take a look at the hilt of a Mandau or Keris(kris) to see where it may take some different local influence.
Hope this helps :D
@@kael629 This is really useful information, thank you very much! You can see the two swords in my recent unboxing video, if you are curious: th-cam.com/video/tiIWqA6kg4c/w-d-xo.html
One has a straight blade, and one has a curved one. Both seem like they might be European export blades, but I will have to confirm that with some more research :)
where Klewang swords also used as chopping tools as well ?
I'm not a practitioner, but by all accounts I've read it seems likely. It's machete-like feel would make it perfect to clear a path in the Indonesian jungle, I would think