Visayan bolo/sword for comment
 

Just bought this short Visayan sword or bolo. It is sheathed 23 inch long with a blade from 16 inch.

Any thoughts about the age and exact orign. have looked already longer for one with a naga (?) handle.

Nearly 100 views and not one comment? :shrug:

Hello Detlef,

Certainly looks like a lovely blade of good workmanship! How does it feel?

The hilt seems to have some patina but the craftmanship seems to be a bit rough - first half of 20th century or post WW2?

The scabbard also has the traditional leather intact; the metal bands look like more recent replacements to me; not sure about the woodcarving - patina seems to be in line with the scabbard though.

Let's hear what the Visayas specialists can contribute!

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai,

thank you for comment! :) Still haven't received it until now so can't tell the feel in hand. The good worked blade and the price let me bid. ;)
Agree, the handle seems worked rough but all other features let me think that it was worked around WWII, maybe a little bit more early. The fittings from the scabbard seems to be from iron and maybe someone have cleaned them not long ago. :shrug: Will be able to tell more after I have received it.

Regards,

Detlef

Interesting to see the leather on the sheath. The scabbard bands look to be of the same age and material as the ferrule?

Hello Ian,

the leather on the throath of the scabbard is typical for Visayan swords. And the way how it's attached let me think that it is more early as from Kai supposed, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=visayan
And yes, I agree, the material of the ferrule and scabbard bands are the same material and seems from the same age. My guess of the age would be 1920-1930. :shrug: Look for comparison here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=visayan
I think by the quality of the blade that it's an old fighter.

Regards,

Detlef

age-wise, i would guess around WW2, Detlef. could be older tho. the bands and ferrule appears to be made out of steel. as far as the pommel, it's a bakunawa (ilonggo version of naga).
i would call this binangon, just to be on the safe side, although as far the the blade is concern, it could be classified as tinegre, from the root word tigre, meaning tiger. that's because it's shape like a tiger's tooth...

Thank you Ron! :) Special for confirming my age guess. It was based on the way how the leather is attached in the back, I think that this is the older way while by more later examples the leather is sewn.

Regards,

Detlef

Just saw this now. I completely agree with Ron - WWII or after. It is also the lack of patina on the bands and wood, the style of the pommel, and the thinness of the guard.