This is truly a remarkable context in which to find these kaskara blades, and though the concept of the Arab trade routes out of the Red Sea is viable, I am wondering if a more westerly route might also be plausible. It is interesting to see two of these 'masri' type blades together in this vastly distant context, and that one appears European, while the other is of lesser quality but exactly the same configuration. We wonder if these type blades may have been produced in this configuration by industrious Solingen shops catering to North African markets, and perhaps we are seeing a 'prototype' against native copy, or perhaps the work of an apprentice.
Whatever the case, we know that these broadsword blades were not typically in demand in the East Indies, but are known to occur in India in patas and firangis in the Malabar sphere. In that case, the Red Sea route might explain this occurrence. Conversely, the western route would be via the Spanish colonies in North Africa, where these would have entered the 'Spanish Main' and could have been transported as far as the western terminus in the Philippines. While highly speculative, it should be noted that many North African type swords such as the 'Berber' sabres have close counterparts as far as Indonesian and Philippines settings via Mexican and Cuban ports. I have seen weapons identified as Mexican also identified as Algerian and other similar cases.
In these circumstances I think these blades, outside the usually favored blade types may have been collected as curiosities, and when in the Indonesian or other setting could have ended up being hilted in the local manner.
While impossible to know for certain, it is interesting to consider the possibilities, and wonder about the great adventure these blades have been part of.
Best regards,
Jim
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