2 Moro Kampillans

CharlesS · 19th June 2017, 04:55 PM

Here are two Moro kampillans that I picked up recently. They could not be more different in appearance...one more plain and austere with a more common blade type, the other finely carved in great detail with a rarer blade and even rarer and more unusual scabbard.

The kampillan with the scabbard has a lovely hilt with no iron hand guards but with all rattan intact. Note the short "mouth". The blade is nicely laminated and features a more unusual tip. The scabbard type is not one typically seen with Philippine Moro kampillans, so I can't help but wonder if this one is from somewhere outside of the Phillipines.

The other kampillan has a massive, if plain, hilt. The wood quality of the hilt helps to make up for its lack of carving. The the cross guard is two tiered across its length, making it almost look broken. There is a crack to one side unassociated with that. There are two iron hand guards with the one to the right being a bit larger. The hair is original, and mostly intact. The grip is most interesting as it is standard braided cord across a piece of ray skin that has buckled with time and use.

Dimensions:

Kampillan with no scabbard overall length:39in.
Blade length: 29in.
Blade's widest point: 1.75in.
Blade at the forte: just over 1 in.

Kampillan with scabbard overall length: 38.5in.
Blade length: 28.75in.
Blade's widest point: just under 2in.
Blade at the forte:1.25in.

CharlesS · 19th June 2017, 04:56 PM

one more pic....

Sajen · 19th June 2017, 08:07 PM

Hello Charles,

two very interesting kampilans!

The one with the unusual mouth piece at the scabbard I've seen before and I am nearly sure that it was discussed here before, just found it, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...pilan+scabbard
When I would have had the money to this time it would be in my collection!

Best regards,
Detlef

kai · 19th June 2017, 09:12 PM

Hello Charles,

What is the thickness of both blades at the base?

Regards,
Kai

kai · 19th June 2017, 09:31 PM

Hello Charles,

Both blades appear to be well worn from use and likely of Moro origin.

The carved example is certainly exceptional with interesting motifs. I believe this once had an iron hand guard, too. I'd guess the scabard is much more recent and possibly not Moro.

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 20th June 2017, 05:33 AM

Actually I still go with the North Borneo/Dayak origin for this intricately carved kampilan form. This was also discussed here:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/printthread.php?t=2820

The simpler hilted kampilan I would place with the Iranun Moros.

Great condition and even better with a full scabbard!

19th June 2017, 04:55 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	2 Moro Kampillans Here are two Moro kampillans that I picked up recently. They could not be more different in appearance...one more plain and austere with a more common blade type, the other finely carved in great detail with a rarer blade and even rarer and more unusual scabbard. The kampillan with the scabbard has a lovely hilt with no iron hand guards but with all rattan intact. Note the short "mouth". The blade is nicely laminated and features a more unusual tip. The scabbard type is not one typically seen with Philippine Moro kampillans, so I can't help but wonder if this one is from somewhere outside of the Phillipines. The other kampillan has a massive, if plain, hilt. The wood quality of the hilt helps to make up for its lack of carving. The the cross guard is two tiered across its length, making it almost look broken. There is a crack to one side unassociated with that. There are two iron hand guards with the one to the right being a bit larger. The hair is original, and mostly intact. The grip is most interesting as it is standard braided cord across a piece of ray skin that has buckled with time and use. Dimensions: Kampillan with no scabbard overall length:39in. Blade length: 29in. Blade's widest point: 1.75in. Blade at the forte: just over 1 in. Kampillan with scabbard overall length: 38.5in. Blade length: 28.75in. Blade's widest point: just under 2in. Blade at the forte:1.25in. Attached Images

19th June 2017, 04:56 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	one more pic.... Attached Images

19th June 2017, 08:07 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,783	Hello Charles, two very interesting kampilans! The one with the unusual mouth piece at the scabbard I've seen before and I am nearly sure that it was discussed here before, just found it, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...pilan+scabbard When I would have had the money to this time it would be in my collection! Best regards, Detlef Last edited by Sajen; 20th June 2017 at 06:30 PM.

19th June 2017, 09:12 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Charles, What is the thickness of both blades at the base? Regards, Kai

19th June 2017, 09:31 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Charles, Both blades appear to be well worn from use and likely of Moro origin. The carved example is certainly exceptional with interesting motifs. I believe this once had an iron hand guard, too. I'd guess the scabard is much more recent and possibly not Moro. Regards, Kai

20th June 2017, 05:33 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	Actually I still go with the North Borneo/Dayak origin for this intricately carved kampilan form. This was also discussed here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/printthread.php?t=2820 The simpler hilted kampilan I would place with the Iranun Moros. Great condition and even better with a full scabbard!