Moro Spear

Gavin Nugent · 25th September 2010, 05:24 AM

I have secured this wonderful old Moro spear for my collections and with the vendors permission can bring these images to light until I can recieve, clean and provide my own images.
Through communications with Maurice, Lee and others

you know who you are, I am bringing this forth to somewhat help further cement identification on Moro spears.

So when is a spear a spear, a budiak a budiak, a budiak a spear etc etc.
Attached are both links to Lees discussion and Maurice's discussion along with images of the example secured.

The spear is complete, the head is twistcore as is clearly seen, the head also has a fair bit of script to one side and also what appear to be talismanic markings. The collar has yet to be identified as to wether it is silver or bronze, I suspect bronze if consistant with the butt. the butt retains both the fitting and double rings.

As the vendor has indicated to me, this belonged to a Master Gunnery Sergeant in the US Marine Corps and served in WWII. This to me again points to the Sulu regions unless further details come to hand.

Normally I probably wouldn't run one of these down but I thought it was worthy of being display here with the 'Pershing' Kampalin, that, the completeness and the script is what sold it for me.

When one considers Chinese martial applications of the spear, men who mastered the spear where considered cool under fire and never hand sweaty palms. One application was to hold the spear base and thrust it through the other hand like a bullet through a barrel. It I was to draw this paralell, would the Moro warriors have had cloth bound through the butt rings and their hands much like a Keris or Kampalin that has cloth remaining to the hilts?

I hope you enjoy the images as much as I have.

Gav

Lee's http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12538
Maurice's http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11670

Maurice · 25th September 2010, 08:53 AM

Gav,

A box of moro budiaks/spears had been opened on the forum.

I also would like to know the exact differences between budiaks and spears or whatever to call them, mostly with reference of old books, articles.
I always assumed that any moro spear's name was budiak.
But it seems, as Battara stated in one of the other mails, that it need to have that chiseled area to be called a budiak. Or did I misunderstood?

I can't wait seeing this blade cleaned!
Wonder if we could read what the text is saying....
Absolutely a great addition to your Pershing kampilan, and they would be an attractive display for sure.

Maurice

Gavin Nugent · 25th September 2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

Gav,

A box of moro budiaks/spears had been opened on the forum.

I also would like to know the exact differences between budiaks and spears or whatever to call them, mostly with reference of old books, articles.
I always assumed that any moro spear's name was budiak.
But it seems, as Battara stated in one of the other mails, that it need to have that chiseled area to be called a budiak. Or did I misunderstood?

I can't wait seeing this blade cleaned!
Wonder if we could read what the text is saying....
Absolutely a great addition to your Pershing kampilan, and they would be an attractive display for sure.

Maurice

Thats a long box to fit them all in Maurice.

I finally took the plunge after you got the other one that has been discussed

Kinda wish I had a light pen and board here, I'd trace over the script to present it and see what it read...just have to wait.

I'm really keen to see what a fully complete piece feels like in the hand and also if anyone can provide feedback on the rings and if cloth was attached like their other weapons of war...

I got the shock of my life last week too, during Alex's B'day party, Rose was giving many guests the grand tour of arms, not a bad job of it either, as she notes to me often, "I know way more than I should" about the swords but has no reservations to more items like this appearing...should I be worried or what

I think there must be a honey can I have coming soon....

Gav

Rick · 25th September 2010, 04:35 PM

Hi Gav,

Try rubbing a bit of flour into the markings; that should make them more legible .

I've never seen one of these with inscriptions or marks .

Should clean up nicely .
Nice score .

Sajen · 25th September 2010, 05:06 PM

Hi Gav,

very nice and complete twist core budiak. Would be nice to see it with cleaned and etched blade. I am curious what the inscription saying.

Rick · 25th September 2010, 05:35 PM

" When one considers Chinese martial applications of the spear, men who mastered the spear where considered cool under fire and never hand sweaty palms. One application was to hold the spear base and thrust it through the other hand like a bullet through a barrel. It I was to draw this paralell, would the Moro warriors have had cloth bound through the butt rings and their hands much like a Keris or Kampalin that has cloth remaining to the hilts?"

Wouldn't one have to drop his Taming in order to fight succesfully in this manner ?

Spears on the ground .

25th September 2010, 05:24 AM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Moro Spear I have secured this wonderful old Moro spear for my collections and with the vendors permission can bring these images to light until I can recieve, clean and provide my own images. Through communications with Maurice, Lee and others you know who you are, I am bringing this forth to somewhat help further cement identification on Moro spears. So when is a spear a spear, a budiak a budiak, a budiak a spear etc etc. Attached are both links to Lees discussion and Maurice's discussion along with images of the example secured. The spear is complete, the head is twistcore as is clearly seen, the head also has a fair bit of script to one side and also what appear to be talismanic markings. The collar has yet to be identified as to wether it is silver or bronze, I suspect bronze if consistant with the butt. the butt retains both the fitting and double rings. As the vendor has indicated to me, this belonged to a Master Gunnery Sergeant in the US Marine Corps and served in WWII. This to me again points to the Sulu regions unless further details come to hand. Normally I probably wouldn't run one of these down but I thought it was worthy of being display here with the 'Pershing' Kampalin, that, the completeness and the script is what sold it for me. When one considers Chinese martial applications of the spear, men who mastered the spear where considered cool under fire and never hand sweaty palms. One application was to hold the spear base and thrust it through the other hand like a bullet through a barrel. It I was to draw this paralell, would the Moro warriors have had cloth bound through the butt rings and their hands much like a Keris or Kampalin that has cloth remaining to the hilts? I hope you enjoy the images as much as I have. Gav Lee's http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12538 Maurice's http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11670 Attached Images

25th September 2010, 05:35 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	" When one considers Chinese martial applications of the spear, men who mastered the spear where considered cool under fire and never hand sweaty palms. One application was to hold the spear base and thrust it through the other hand like a bullet through a barrel. It I was to draw this paralell, would the Moro warriors have had cloth bound through the butt rings and their hands much like a Keris or Kampalin that has cloth remaining to the hilts?" Wouldn't one have to drop his Taming in order to fight succesfully in this manner ? Spears on the ground . Attached Images

25th September 2010, 08:53 AM	#2
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,346	Gav, A box of moro budiaks/spears had been opened on the forum. I also would like to know the exact differences between budiaks and spears or whatever to call them, mostly with reference of old books, articles. I always assumed that any moro spear's name was budiak. But it seems, as Battara stated in one of the other mails, that it need to have that chiseled area to be called a budiak. Or did I misunderstood? I can't wait seeing this blade cleaned! Wonder if we could read what the text is saying.... Absolutely a great addition to your Pershing kampilan, and they would be an attractive display for sure. Maurice

25th September 2010, 04:35 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Hi Gav, Try rubbing a bit of flour into the markings; that should make them more legible . I've never seen one of these with inscriptions or marks . Should clean up nicely . Nice score .

25th September 2010, 05:06 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Hi Gav, very nice and complete twist core budiak. Would be nice to see it with cleaned and etched blade. I am curious what the inscription saying.