Dutch M 1911 No. 1. (New Model) Marechaussee klewang (cutlass) as used by the KNIL by ALEX COPPEL-SOLINGEN. (JP 94/159)
"Nederlandse Marechaussee klewang M 1911 No.1. (Nieuw Model) als gebruikt bij het KNIL "/ Dutch M 1911 No.1 (New Model), Marechaussee klewang as used by the KNIL.(= Royal Netherlands Indie Army) Serial number: 174 on the hilt. Excellent+ blued klewang blade with clip point. The ricasso is very faint marked with the German makers trade name: ALEX.COPPEL - SOLINGEN (Hard to read!) the reverse is marked with a crisp Dutch inspector marking: Crown over B. Wide open blued steel hand guard, marked with a small Dutch inspection marking: Crown over B. Excellent wooden scales fixed to the blade tang by three large brass rivets. Nut screw is marked: Crown over B.
Excellent M 1898 tooled brown leather scabbard. All stitches intact. Long M 1931 brass chape fixed by 4 steel staples to the leather body. Scabbard throat is reinforced by a brass clip. Leather body is marked: C W (= Construction Workshop) over N (= Netherlands) over 2-'41 (=Date: February 1941=This particular scabbard was made at the CW in Bandoeng- Indonesia, a part of the AI)
Around 1911 the M 1898 No.2 (Old Model) Marechaussee klewang was modified by altering the sword hilt and it became known as "Marechaussee klewang M 1911 No.1.New Model." The ribbed sword grip was replaced by a knife-type grip. Two walnut wooden scales fixed by three brass rivets to the blade tang. The scabbard was also altered by adding a brass clip to the throat and reinforce the chape with a longer brass chape with a straight upper edge. This is an early M 1911. Be course of imperfections and shortage of HEMBRUG made blades, in the beginning the Dutch arsenal of Hembrug used older, bright finished, German made blades again. (Ref: "Klewang" by J.P. Puype )
The klewang is older than its scabbard. This is common. In the tropical climate of Indonesia is was necessary to replace the leather scabbards frequently.
Very nice example.