One of the best Parang Nabur swords I had in a while. This extra large example has a very fine heavy blade inspired to European and Islamic influences. The blade has a long stretched fuller and is double edged like the Islamic scimitar. The blade is very thick and well forged. The hilt is larger then usual and the handle is made of wood. The knuckleguard is made of brass and so is the thumbrest. The pommel has the typical nut which is made of iron. These Parang Nabur swords are also known as Parang Niabor or Belabang and were worn by the Malay, the Dayak and the Banjarese people.

The Sultanate of Benjarmasin was an important center of weapon production in the first half of the 19th century. A description is found in A. Hendrik’s “Iets over de wapenfabricatie op Borneo” in 1842, where the smith’s techniques were described that these blades were polished upon completion with stones, oil and a fragment of shark skin. This blade is in excellent condition with only some slight discolouration of the forging, but further rock hard and solid. The scabbard is complete, made of wood and decorated and hold together with three brass plates which are revited together.

Condition: Excellent, complete with scabbard. very small traces of use and wear.

Weight: 1300gr.

Dimensions:
Hilt: 18cm
Blade length: 66cm
Blade thickness: 0.8cm untill the edged tip.
Scabbard: 70cm
Total length without scabbard: 81cm
Total length including scabbard: 84cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright by Peter Andeweg – 2020