Kampilan metal guards or "staples"
 

Given the recent discussions across various posts and other historical posts, I'd like to explore the feature of the "staples" and various examples of the type.

There are a variety of metals used, Iron, brass, silver, and a variety of styles.

Whilst these are practical features, I can help but wonder if there was some intended mimicking of Spanish rapier guards with the twists and turns of some staple types, and I do recall seeing a guard that was drilled with the holes facing towards the blade, which, if it once had staples, would have been quite a sight as I'd have expected some sort of blade catching arrangement.

I'll start with these from within the forum pages. Whilst perhaps not the most exotic by design, they do seem to be amongst the rarest types.

Brass or bronze; one a sand casting, the other wrought.

Here are pictures of 1 of 3 kampilans I have.

This one is ivory with a silver staple:

Here is one kampilan that I once owned but sold to the Philippines.

The staple is made of bronze. This was my favorite staple.

Nice to see another cast bronze staple, Jose. :)
Talk about intricate work, nicely done. :cool:

Agreed, that is stunning old world workmanship.

I recall there was a silver one within these pages, cast in the form of snakes. Anyone know it?

This one Gavin?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...1&d=1164225002

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...1&d=1164225002

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...1&d=1164225002

That's the one!

Battara, can you tell us more about it?
Was this refitted or a modern bespoke request?

This was my attempt at restoration. When i owned this piece it had half of the bone guard present. So I made another bone part to try to match, then replaced the missing guard with a twisted double snake made of chased silver with each end in the form of a snake head with copper eyes. I chose to do this to match the other parts of the kampilan hilt mounts. :)

Years later, a new dealer took all of that out, did their own bone, and got rid of any guard.

This is one which I wish I didn't have to sell off at the time. :(

The first picture is how I received it.

The second picture is what I was trying to match with the new guard I made. This "ring" was holding the long Maranao cloth mansala in place.

I placed the third picture of my guard work below the second for comparison.