Dutch M 1911 No. 1. (New Model) Marechaussee klewang (cutlass) by Alex. Coppel-Solingen as used by the KNIL(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) Very good bright finished klewang blade with clip point. There is some sharpening to the clip point, some very light peppering to both the ricasso's and some small stains to the blade. Blade spine is marked with a tiny Dutch inspection marking: Crown over E. The ricasso is marked with the German makers trade name: ALEX.COPPEL - SOLINGEN (Hard to read!) the reverse is marked with a Dutch inspector marking: Crown over a large W. Wide open blued steel hand guard, marked with a small Dutch inspection marking: Crown over W. Excellent wooden scales fixed to the blade tang by three large brass rivets.
Excellent M 1898 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 11-'40 (=Date: November 1940 = This particular scabbard was made at the C W 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.