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Hello every one, I just joined this forum and my interest (and up to a point, knowledge) is the Dutch type klewang. Basically, the various types of klewang have been manufactured from 1898 until 1946.
This one is a regular M1911 Dutch klewang and can have been made by several German manufacturers or by the Dutch HEMBRUG factory. This model is made from 1911 until 1940, most by the HEMBRUG. After the Germans invaded the Netherlands in 1940 production was moved to Bandoeng in the Dutch East Indies, (Indonesia)) These are known as the M1940 (with Bakelite grip plates). In 1941 the klewangs were also ordered in the US and these have been delivered after the war (1946-1947) but are known as the M1941.
About this shortened version; it is known as the HeiHo klewang, named after the troops they were supplied to. In 1942 the Dutch East Indies were overrun and occupied by the Japanese army. The Japanese confiscated all klewangs and re-issued them to local troops that were kind of an auxiliary help force. Why did the Japanese shorten the klewang? There are two versions on the why (as far as I know) and both make sense.
Version I: The Japanese did not want to re-issue a typical Dutch weapon as everything Dutch needed to be eliminated asap.
Version II: The Japanese did not fully trust the HeiHo troops and did not want them to have a useful edged weapon. The klewang is a formidable weapon, especially in confined spaces or in the jungle. (On patrols every soldier had a klewang in his right hand and the carbine in his left hand. The carbine was used for the first and only shot as there was no time for a second shot. Close combat was fought out with edged weapons only and the carbine was more used to ward off the opponents edged weapon)
By removing the hilt and shortening the blade the klewang was reduced to a symbolic weapon and had become just a tool. Anybody who has both the original klewang and the shortened version in his or her hand can confirm this. All types (M1998, M1905, M1911 and M1940) can be found in HeiHo versions, not the M1941 as it was delivered after the war.
All Heihos are shortened in exactly the same way so this was well organized, the scabbards were also shortened to match the blade again.
After the war most Heiho's went to the Dutch Armies again and were for sure used on guard duties in the Dutch navy, the British also used it for the same purpose (and put their "Broad Arrow" on it). British troops (in 1945 as temporary troops) also brought a lot of Heiho's back to England as a souvenir. Of course, as stated in an earlier reply, a lot of Heiho's and also a lot of klewangs (kept hidden for the Japanese) found their way to the Indonesion freedom fighters (the TNI)
In short, you obtained a piece of history. More photo's would be appreciated especially any marking and also of the rounded point..
Always open to comments and or questions,
Kind Regards
Ron de Ruiter (Dutch but moved to the Czech Republic)
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