[kronckew]

nice one. rare to have the fancy bits on the grip intact, they get broken off frequently. they are beefy as well as very sharp and deadly. the sheath may have gotten mixed up with one from a slightly different barong. the sheaths were frequently dropped before a battle, to be recovered if they won, or remain un-needed if they didn't. could be a after battle pickup by a trooper who just grabbed one that was close. bldes are usually well made and may be laminated steel. some blades were even made in china. both countries had very good blade smiths.

there are anecdotes about the moro jurementado insurrectionists of the early 1900's high on pot attacking US troops with these and actually cutting one in half at the waist after being shot a few times with the 9mm (38 cal) issue revolver. one theory for the rise in demand for return to a .45 cal. weapon. sadly, the bean counters had struck and decided the .38 was cheaper, ammo was lighter and easier to carry. much like the current round of bean counters who always plan for the last war, not the current. i gather the private purchase of .45's amongst the US forces is fairly high now too. just like then.

those who do not learn from history, and who try to cover it up, will often be forced to repeat it.

i'm sure others more knowledgeable in this area will be happy to provide details regarding the more precise origins