Klewang or a Piso?

kino · 8th January 2026, 07:11 PM

Looking through A. Van Z’s book, the closest match appears to be a Piso Sanalenggam. Is it?

If not should it be considered a variant of the klewang?

Blade seems to be chrome plated. Hilt is of Carabao horn.

Sajen · 8th January 2026, 09:15 PM

Hello Albert,

It's for sure not a Piso Sanalenggam and I have some doubts if it is Indonesian.

Regards,
Detlef

RSWORD · 8th January 2026, 11:37 PM

I think it is a Filipino variant. The use of the carabao horn grip, the pommel cap with finial all look Northern Philippines to me. The blade shape is a bit unusual but if you think back to those early arms of the Philippines wall plaques there are some funky blade shapes represented in those miniatures. I think this one is likely circa 1900.

Battara · 8th January 2026, 11:49 PM

I agree with the Luzon PI attribution and dating.

kino · Yesterday, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Albert,

It's for sure not a Piso Sanalenggam and I have some doubts if it is Indonesian.

Regards,
Detlef

Interesting. I didn’t think it wouldn’t have been other than Indonesian. You’ve broadened my horizon🙂
Thanks Sajen.

kino · Yesterday, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSWORD

I think it is a Filipino variant. The use of the carabao horn grip, the pommel cap with finial all look Northern Philippines to me. The blade shape is a bit unusual but if you think back to those early arms of the Philippines wall plaques there are some funky blade shapes represented in those miniatures. I think this one is likely circa 1900.

Alright Rick, I followed your advice and took a look at my PI weapons wall plaque and spotted something that fits the profile. Can’t believe it was sitting under my nose the whole time, lol.
I’m with you on the dating.

Ian · Yesterday, 12:56 AM

Hi Albert,

Nice sword! Just to add to the chorus that this is likely a Luzon bolo. My only additional observation is that this one might be a variant of the San Bartolome style which dates from the late 19th C (not that this sword is necessarily of that period). There is no single style for this designation and it seems that various areas of Luzon had their own local version of that sword.

Xasterix and his Filipino colleagues seem to have the clearest ideas of where these styles and other Luzon knives/swords come from. Perhaps he can add to the specificity of the information here.

Regards, Ian

P.S. Those wall plaques of knives and swords that are usually labeled "Weapons of Moroland" were often assembled in other parts of the Philippines, including Cebu and Luzon. As a result, a variety of non-Moro weapons can be found on them, as well as non-Moro names such as "itak" (Tagalog)

kino · Yesterday, 06:52 AM

Thanks Ian, good to know your thoughts on the sword.

I always had a feeling those Weapons of the Moroland plaques weren’t made in Muslim Mindanao, especially since ‘Moro’ was a derogatory term until not too long ago.

8th January 2026, 07:11 PM	#1
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,029	Klewang or a Piso? Looking through A. Van Z’s book, the closest match appears to be a Piso Sanalenggam. Is it? If not should it be considered a variant of the klewang? Blade seems to be chrome plated. Hilt is of Carabao horn. Attached Images

8th January 2026, 09:15 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,525	Hello Albert, It's for sure not a Piso Sanalenggam and I have some doubts if it is Indonesian. Regards, Detlef

8th January 2026, 11:37 PM	#3
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,095	I think it is a Filipino variant. The use of the carabao horn grip, the pommel cap with finial all look Northern Philippines to me. The blade shape is a bit unusual but if you think back to those early arms of the Philippines wall plaques there are some funky blade shapes represented in those miniatures. I think this one is likely circa 1900.

8th January 2026, 11:49 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,364	I agree with the Luzon PI attribution and dating.

Yesterday, 12:56 AM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,637	Hi Albert, Nice sword! Just to add to the chorus that this is likely a Luzon bolo. My only additional observation is that this one might be a variant of the San Bartolome style which dates from the late 19th C (not that this sword is necessarily of that period). There is no single style for this designation and it seems that various areas of Luzon had their own local version of that sword. Xasterix and his Filipino colleagues seem to have the clearest ideas of where these styles and other Luzon knives/swords come from. Perhaps he can add to the specificity of the information here. Regards, Ian P.S. Those wall plaques of knives and swords that are usually labeled "Weapons of Moroland" were often assembled in other parts of the Philippines, including Cebu and Luzon. As a result, a variety of non-Moro weapons can be found on them, as well as non-Moro names such as "itak" (Tagalog)

Yesterday, 06:52 AM	#8
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,029	Thanks Ian, good to know your thoughts on the sword. I always had a feeling those Weapons of the Moroland plaques weren’t made in Muslim Mindanao, especially since ‘Moro’ was a derogatory term until not too long ago.