[Ian]

This pira has a pale green horn hilt with streaks of white, consistent with coming from an albino water buffalo (carabao). The blade is in the style of pre-1900 pira, because it has a small "ricasso" adjacent to the hilt. Traditional shaped pira (as used mainly by the Yakan people) have been produced by Maranao craftsmen in the 20th C and do not usually show the "ricasso" feature, although some of the early Maranao examples apparently did have a small ricasso (as noted by fellow forum member Xasterix). The use of brass rings at each end of the horn hilt is atypical, and might suggest that this is indeed a Maranao interpretation of a traditional Yakan pira. If so, the sword probably dates to the early part of the 20th C. The blade is monosteel, showing no evidence of lamination after etching with ferric chloride, and came very sharp.

I'm posting this example mainly to enter it into the archives. As always comments and thoughts are most welcome.