Another Civil War Knife Sold On Ebay

Robert · 24th February 2011, 07:00 PM

Well, I just won this "ANTIQUE OLD CIVIL WAR WESTERN BATTLE KNIFE ULTRA RARE" on ebay.
I has always amazed me how the Philippines seemed to be involved in suppling arms for the American Civil War.

When I first found this item I contacted the seller and tried to explain to them that this was not from the American Civil War or for that matter from the U.S. at all, but as usual I was ignored. I decided to go ahead and place a bid on it anyway and hope for the best and as luck would have it when the auction ended I was very pleased to find that I had won. The knife looks to me to be of late 1890's to early 20th century Katipunan era. Most likely from Luzon and is very well made with a Carabao horn grip that still has most of the twisted brass wire still intact. It comes with what looks to be the original leather sheath with nice tooling, though it is showing its age. The overall length of the piece is 14 inches with a 9-1/2 inch blade. Because the piece looks to be made more for stabbing than for cutting would this be called a dagger or just a knife? The pictures below are from the auction. Any comments on this would be very welcome.

Robert

Dimasalang · 24th February 2011, 07:10 PM

Im starting to really hate you now.

HAHA JK
Great find! Awesome Philippine/American Civil War piece. haha Gotta give it up to you Robert, you dig through ebay like no other.

I catch myself at times doing the same, but it is a very tedious task to do so many searches day in and day out!

May I ask how much you won this one for? You can PM me if you wish to keep it private. My luckiest mislabeled find on ebay was a Visayan Dagger. It was labeled as WWII Japanese Dagger. Seller claimed his Grandfather was fighting in the Philippines and killed a Japanese soldier and took it from him...so this whole time they thought it was a Japanese weapon. I was the only bidder and got it for $10.

It is nothing too detailed or crazy, but the scabbard and all the traditional looks and designs are there. I never posted or shared it here yet...maybe Ill post it up later.

Robert · 24th February 2011, 07:35 PM

Hello Dimasalang, I sent you a PM. Yes, please do post pictures of your "Japanese knife" as I as well as others would definitely like to see it. Most of the items that I win on ebay are usually mislabeled. If they weren't, I probably would not be able to afford them.

Robert

Battara · 25th February 2011, 05:22 AM

Nice piece! Congrats! Yes it is Luzono.

Dimasalang, don't hate him but love him, get to know him (and then steal his toys!

).

migueldiaz · 25th February 2011, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Coleman

I has always amazed me how the Philippines seemed to be involved in suppling arms for the American Civil War.

Well what do you know? Now wonder we ran out of blades to use during the subsequent war

Congrats! And like Dimasalang, I also feel like shouting "argh!!"

On the other hand, it's always comforting to know that it's now in very good hands.

It's definitely a Luzon piece (peened tang, twisted wire on hilt, blade profile, etc.), as am sure most can tell. One of its 'cousins' is with me (pic of sword attached). That one I have has horn hilt and twisted brass wire also.

As to the local name for a dagger, in Luzon it's called punyal (from Spanish puñal) or daga (from the Spanish daga, for dagger also).

migueldiaz · 25th February 2011, 05:33 AM

The thing am still finding out about these blades is the 'humpback' feature at the spine (the right end of the red dotted line in the att. pics).

Am not sure if this humpback feature points to a particular province or region in Luzon. Alternatively it can be a style that was broadly used. Am still not sure either way. Perhaps more pics can be posted in this thread so we put our minds together

p.s. - the pic with dark background is from erik farrow. the one with very light background is from artotec of ebay. thanks.

migueldiaz · 25th February 2011, 05:39 AM

Pics of other examples of humpback Luzon sundang (or tabak, and tabak is used if it is a war sword; while sundang is a generic word that can mean both a utility blade and a war sword), are attached.

Robert · 25th February 2011, 08:10 AM

For anyone thinking of pilfering my toys you will first have to get by my well trained attack animals. The cat will strategically place himself between your feet while you walk tripping you at every move while the basset will slobber on your hands making it imposable to grip any sharp pointy objects. Together the are a formidable team who have thwarted any and all attempts of anyone trying to remove my toys from the premises.

Below is a picture of this mighty team waiting to spring into action at any given moment.

Robert · 25th February 2011, 08:29 AM

Migueldiaz, As for the 'humpback' feature you are referring to, I have a few examples that I will post in the mourning as it is late here and I am on my way to bed and sleep. I think all of the examples that I have with this shape are from Luzon but I will check and if there are others from any different locations I will post them as well.

My thanks to all who have commented so far on my latest addition.

Robert

P.S.
I know it looks like I am on the forum 24 hours a day but I just leave my computer on most of the time. It saves me alot of time this way.

24th February 2011, 07:00 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Another Civil War Knife Sold On Ebay Well, I just won this "ANTIQUE OLD CIVIL WAR WESTERN BATTLE KNIFE ULTRA RARE" on ebay. I has always amazed me how the Philippines seemed to be involved in suppling arms for the American Civil War. When I first found this item I contacted the seller and tried to explain to them that this was not from the American Civil War or for that matter from the U.S. at all, but as usual I was ignored. I decided to go ahead and place a bid on it anyway and hope for the best and as luck would have it when the auction ended I was very pleased to find that I had won. The knife looks to me to be of late 1890's to early 20th century Katipunan era. Most likely from Luzon and is very well made with a Carabao horn grip that still has most of the twisted brass wire still intact. It comes with what looks to be the original leather sheath with nice tooling, though it is showing its age. The overall length of the piece is 14 inches with a 9-1/2 inch blade. Because the piece looks to be made more for stabbing than for cutting would this be called a dagger or just a knife? The pictures below are from the auction. Any comments on this would be very welcome. Robert Attached Images Last edited by Robert Coleman; 25th February 2011 at 04:04 AM.

25th February 2011, 05:33 AM	#6
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	The thing am still finding out about these blades is the 'humpback' feature at the spine (the right end of the red dotted line in the att. pics). Am not sure if this humpback feature points to a particular province or region in Luzon. Alternatively it can be a style that was broadly used. Am still not sure either way. Perhaps more pics can be posted in this thread so we put our minds together p.s. - the pic with dark background is from erik farrow. the one with very light background is from artotec of ebay. thanks. Attached Images

25th February 2011, 05:39 AM	#7
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Pics of other examples of humpback Luzon sundang (or tabak, and tabak is used if it is a war sword; while sundang is a generic word that can mean both a utility blade and a war sword), are attached. Attached Images

25th February 2011, 08:10 AM	#8
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	For anyone thinking of pilfering my toys you will first have to get by my well trained attack animals. The cat will strategically place himself between your feet while you walk tripping you at every move while the basset will slobber on your hands making it imposable to grip any sharp pointy objects. Together the are a formidable team who have thwarted any and all attempts of anyone trying to remove my toys from the premises. Below is a picture of this mighty team waiting to spring into action at any given moment. Attached Images

24th February 2011, 07:10 PM	#2
Dimasalang Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 264	Im starting to really hate you now. HAHA JK Great find! Awesome Philippine/American Civil War piece. haha Gotta give it up to you Robert, you dig through ebay like no other. I catch myself at times doing the same, but it is a very tedious task to do so many searches day in and day out! May I ask how much you won this one for? You can PM me if you wish to keep it private. My luckiest mislabeled find on ebay was a Visayan Dagger. It was labeled as WWII Japanese Dagger. Seller claimed his Grandfather was fighting in the Philippines and killed a Japanese soldier and took it from him...so this whole time they thought it was a Japanese weapon. I was the only bidder and got it for $10. It is nothing too detailed or crazy, but the scabbard and all the traditional looks and designs are there. I never posted or shared it here yet...maybe Ill post it up later.

24th February 2011, 07:35 PM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Dimasalang, I sent you a PM. Yes, please do post pictures of your "Japanese knife" as I as well as others would definitely like to see it. Most of the items that I win on ebay are usually mislabeled. If they weren't, I probably would not be able to afford them. Robert

25th February 2011, 05:22 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Nice piece! Congrats! Yes it is Luzono. Dimasalang, don't hate him but love him, get to know him (and then steal his toys! ).

25th February 2011, 08:29 AM	#9
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Migueldiaz, As for the 'humpback' feature you are referring to, I have a few examples that I will post in the mourning as it is late here and I am on my way to bed and sleep. I think all of the examples that I have with this shape are from Luzon but I will check and if there are others from any different locations I will post them as well. My thanks to all who have commented so far on my latest addition. Robert P.S. I know it looks like I am on the forum 24 hours a day but I just leave my computer on most of the time. It saves me alot of time this way.