Fine Early Sundang Sword with Unusual Pattern Welded Steel Blade

Sundang swords, sometimes referred to as Kalis, or Moro sword are  most commonly found in Mindanao, Philippines but are also spread around from Malya in the west to Moro Land in the east. All with small variations that make exact identification not easy. Early Sundang swords are usually smaller and with more elegant and delicate blades and of  softer curvature. Blades of earlier Sundangs are usually of higher quality.

The Sundang sword offered here is an early one with a blade core forged from four steel ingots of diagonal pamor structure forge welded between high carbon hardened steel edges. It looks  like a styled chevron pattern. Seven  luks blade. One engraved silver clamp reinforce the blade to the handle. The grip is bound with natural fiber between silver mounts. Small size Ivory Cockatoo style pommel.

Blade 16 1/2  inches long. Total length 21 1/2  inches. Very good condition. Good old age patina on both the blade and the Ivory pommel. No scabbard.

The size, the blade shape and the blade construction suggest an early age. Probably 18 C., Malayan origin.