TALLYHO Posted January 18, 2018 Share #1 Posted January 18, 2018 Here is a rather unique modification to what I believe is a US M1917 naval Klewang. The handle closely resembles that which is on my Collins #127. I`m figuring this was done to reduce the bulkiness of the weapon crated by the basket hand guard. Interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TALLYHO Posted January 18, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted January 18, 2018 more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TALLYHO Posted January 18, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted January 18, 2018 more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reschenk Posted January 18, 2018 Share #4 Posted January 18, 2018 This blade almost certainly began life as a klewang, but probably not a US M1917 Navy cutlass. It looks more like a Netherlands East Indies army klewang. It appears the blade was cut off at the tang end and rehilted with a machete grip. No part of the grip from the original sword was kept. Neither the US nor Dutch versions had stacked leather grips or brass guards or pommels. Here is a photo of the US M1917: It is interesting to note however, that most of the last cutlasses procured by the U:S:N Bureau of Ordinance, the M1917/41, which had a cutout guard like the Dutch klewang,. ended up being issued to US troops in the Solomon Islands for use in lieu of machetes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TALLYHO Posted January 18, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted January 18, 2018 American made Klewang`s were supplied to the N.E.I Army (Netherland East Indies) Army. The following is from the Netherlands Purchasing Commission records. There are three shipping documents regarding the procurement's. 1st 20 Oct 1941 for 1950 sabers shipped from NY on the Dutch frighten SS Noordam. 2nd 5 Dec 1941 for 500 saber blades on the SS Kota Gede. 3rd 15 Jan 1942 for 500 sabers on the SS Tabian. This made a total of 2450 complete Klewangs and 500 blades. It should be noted the last two shipment were from the Vince Fencing Co 767 Broadway NY. while the first shipment most likely came from the NY Naval Yard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reschenk Posted January 19, 2018 Share #6 Posted January 19, 2018 In the early 1940s, the Lilley-Ames Company made the klewangs for the NEI Army to which Tallyho refers above. It also made the M1917/41 cutlasses under contract with the Navy Bureau of Ordinance. They varied only slightly from the NEI Army swords. Originally the Navy swords were intended to equip new ships which were under construction in 1941, but in 1942 they were diverted to the Solomons.where they ended up being issued to troops in lieu of machetes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankerman Posted January 19, 2018 Share #7 Posted January 19, 2018 That is an interesting modification. Certainly looks like a COLLINS grip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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