Possable Philippine First Republic Dagger

[Robert]

I won this dagger at auction few days ago and thought that I would post it for comments. Though only five inches in length the blade is heavy and very well made for its size. The hilt is made of horn with mother of pearl and brass inlay. Made from an old shell casing only the rear ferrule remains, but I would imagine the front ferrule would have been a shell casing as well. To be quite honest I am not sure that the hilt pieces are original to this dagger but might possibly be later replacements. Normally I would have overlooked this piece but in the auction the seller had commented that the blade had a pyramid with a sun face on the other side and had said he was going to post a photo of it which he never did. All comments on this piece would be greatly appreciated. Auction photos below as well as two new ones showing the sun face.

Best,
Robert

[Ian]

Robert:

I agree that the blade and its markings look as though they come from the Philippine Revolutionary/First Republic period. The triangle around a radiant sun face are typical nationalistic marks from that time. The hilt and sheath I'm not so sure about.

I cannot recall seeing another Filipino knife with a crocodile/snake/lizard skin sheath. Of course it could have been custom made, but it is not in keeping with usual Filipino craftwork.

Parts of the hilt also do not seem to fit the period. The horn(?) guard and brass ferrule(s) could certainly be from the time period of the Revolution and shortly afterwards, but the horn(?) handle with inlaid dots is unusual for then (I generally associate that style with later in the 20th C.).

Just a few thoughts and I look forward to hearing from other forumites more familiar with the Philippines Revolutionary/First Republic period (1896-1901).

Ian.

[Robert]

Hello Ian, The fact that some of the hilt material seems of a later date had also occurred to me. Also the quality and workmanship of the blade appear to be of a much higher quality than that of the hilt itself. On quite a few of these that I have seen the fittings were made of silver. Maybe this was a later replacement? As leather scabbards most likely have very short lives in the Philippines I would say that this could also very easily be a later replacement as well.

[Sajen]

Hello Robert,

a most interesting and unusual dagger. Like pointed out by Ian and yourself could the scabbard be a later replacement but don't think that the handle with the brass fittings are not original to this piece, I have seen a few with brass fittings before. See here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...epublic+dagger
But agree that the horn guard is very unusual. I am already curious to see the restored dagger. And I am green with envy! Great catch.

Regards,
Detlef

[Robert]

Thank you Detlef, I am planning on restoring this with the hilt pieces it has now. If later it is determined that this hilt is not original to the blade I can always remove it easily as the brass bead (now missing) is threaded on instead of being peened in place and will make it very easy to remove the entire hilt if needed. I plan on using a brass casing made from either a 45 long colt or 38 cartridge depending on which one has the correct diameter to match up with the horn grip at that end for the missing front ferrule with the rim resting against the guard. As this guard has had the center where the tang passes through eaten away by bugs so badly it now spins I will have to make a replacement for it also. I am hoping that there will be enough members give their opinions on what material should be used for the guard to keep me from having to make it twice

Best,
Robert

[Ian]

Either horn or brass for the guard.