What do you think about this Lantaka
 

Just got this Lantaka this month. Length- 3'10" , Weight ~95lbs. There is a 3' 1",strip of Kamagong on the underside of the Lantaka, held in place with 5 bands of rattan strips. Any idea why this was placed there?

To keep this in compliance with being an edged weapons forum, I placed a Kampilan alongside with it. :)

Nice lantaka. Looks Indonesian. Looks like there is a groove into which the wood fits. Is this accurate?

PS love the kamp.

Battara, Thanks for the kind words. There's no groove in the Lantaka. The wood is shaped to follow the contours of the cannon. How can you differentiate between Indonesian and Moro Lantakas?

>>There is a 3' 1",strip of Kamagong on the underside of the Lantaka, held in place with 5 bands of rattan strips. Any idea why this was placed there? <<
Wonder if it was still being used past it's prime and they felt the wood/bindings would minimize shrapnel, if it blew up. Very nice collection.

Probably put there to protect the bottom of the barrel from rock walls etc .
Remember these were also currency ; correct ?

Bill, I don't think a piece of wood on the bottom would give much protection
against sharpnel. Although rattan is pretty strong.

Rick, yes I agree, Lantaka's were also used as currency among other things.

So then it would be in one's best interest to keep them as nice as possible; no ? :)

What I look for is the way the vine motif is used on a piece along with other artistic things that signify a Moro or other. On your piece the style of vine and okir used is common with Indonesian manufacture. They made a lot of these for use by the Portuguese. This is not to say that it could not have been used by Moros who may have traded or bought it. But Moro okir has it's own unique styles, even though there are many variations between the Moro tribes. On my lantaka below, look at the okir motifs (especially on the top of the lantaka) and you will see differences, in fact, they match those found on Sulu grave markers for example. By the way, my lantaka is the type that was used for currency, gifts, and as a signal cannon.

Is the cylider at the breech something into which a wooden extension was put? Even if not,iIs this feature an Indonesian/Moro distinction?

I'm thinking that a kind of stock ; probably of wood was inserted there to aim and hold the barrel steady as these are used as swivel guns for the most part .

Battara, That's a nice looker. What are it's statistics.


On my lantaka, it still retains a broken piece of wood that was used to swivel/aim it.

I believe the Northern and Central Philippine Islanders used Lantakas as well.
I read an article where the Spanish found a Lantaka being made in Luzon. I have attached a photo of a group of Lantaka's in Datu Uto's arsenal. Also a photo that a forum member had posted before, from a Spanish Museum. Notice the rattan binding.

I know that it has been a long time since this thread was up, but I have noticed more recently that Moro lantaka has a type of shortened "flower petal" motif toward the end of the cannon. I may have to change my mind now and say that Kino, you may have a Moro lantaka after all, or at least one that may have mixed inheritance, or even one so old that they were made similarly at one time, still being Moro. Will continue to do more research to confirm my thoughts...........