Dutch M 1905 No. 2. (Old Model) Marechaussee cutlass/klewang by HEMBRUG, used by the KNIL. (JP 94/158)
"Nederlands Sabel Marechaussee M 1905 OM. (Oud Model) No. 2 klewang zoals gebruikt bij het KNIL "/ Dutch M 1905 0M. (=Old Model), No. 2., Marechaussee cutlass / klewang used by the KNIL.(= Royal Netherlands Indie Army). Excellent bright finished fullered klewang blade with clip point showing light user spurs only. The ricasso is marked with the Dutch makers trade name: HEMBRUG. The reverse is marked with a Dutch inspector mark: Crown over E. Wide open blued steel hand guard. The back of the detachable hilt is Regimental marked: L over 344, Crown over E and the rack number: 547. Ferule is numbered: 25 and shows a tiny Dutch inspector marking: Crown over F. Excellent one piece dark wood grip with 7 ribs. Sword knot slit in the upper part of the guard. Nut screw.
A rectangular brass plate was attached to the inside of the hilt, but is removed later. The contours are still visible and there is another Dutch inspector marking; Crown over E.
Excellent M1914 black leather scabbard with all stitches intact. Long brass chape with two staples on each side and no serieus dents. The leather scabbard body is marked near the throat: C W over N over 7 -23 over EC (hard to read.) Leather throat itself is marked: 23. The frog retaining strap is removed for use of the klewang with an officers Sam Browne frog/belt.
This is an early modified M 1898 model with a bright finished Dutch made blade and a ribbed wooden sword grip.
Around 1905 the M 1898 klewang was modified by making the hilt detachable by a nut screw on the top of the hilt and omitting the slot for a finger loop in the guard.
The black leather 1914 scabbard is a pre -WWII (1923 marked) replacement. This is common. In the tropical climate of Indonesia is was necessary to replace the leather scabbards frequently.
Hard to find very nice early KNIL klewang, well numbered.