Hi Robert,
Extremely interesting pieces that recall a bayonet form that I believe was from another Spanish colonial location in Central America (not near books at the moment so cannot cite positively).
It seems the sectioned hilt form is very much like early Mexican sabres with multibranched guards as well as straight bar crossguards with the same type terminals. I believe these came from eastern Mexico around 1820's and these have been found in New Orleans so suggest activity with ports on that side of Mexico such as Veracruz. Naturally trade from these ports connected with trade routes to the Philippines, so the style could easily have carried there.
They truly are interesting, especially the fingerguards. If anyone has a copy of Levines Knives 1985 I think it is..please check in there for the bayonet I mentioned with the ring guard.
All the best,
Jim
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