Two more gunongs

Ferguson · 29th June 2008, 08:45 PM

My love affair with this southern Philippine dagger continues.

14 1/2" overall length, inserted edge. First pic is ebay pic with cellophane tape on the scabbard and a "field expedient" leather belt loop. Second is now. I added the rattan wrap, and left the cord wrap at the top. Horn ferrule was split. It has been repaired with epoxy.

10 1/4" monosteel blade. Some fittings are a pinkish color. A copper alloy of some sort I would suppose. Lovely piece.

Battara · 30th June 2008, 02:50 AM

Once again, you are the Gunong King, and very sharp guy (

) who always makes a good point (

).....ok I'll stop (

).

Yes the pinkish parts are a silver-copper alloy meaning more copper mixed with the copper than usual. The brilliance of Moro craftsmen is that they used different mixtures to get different colors.

Again, have you tried etching these blades?

Ferguson · 30th June 2008, 11:49 AM

Thanks Jose.

Yes, I etched both. The larger one has an inserted edge, but there is little contrast. Hard to see in pictures. The smaller one is monosteel. Since there was no pattern, I used some metal polish to bring it back a bit from the gray etch.

Steve

Lew · 30th June 2008, 04:24 PM

Hi Steve

Love that big gunong they must have made these larger for some reason probably to get around some type of sword ban or something like that? The smaller one is nice and for some reason it looks familar to me

.

Congrats

Lew

Battara · 1st July 2008, 03:42 AM

My understanding is that is right, Lew. After the Battle of Bud Bagsak, all Moros were banned from wearing kris or swords for a while. The gunong began to take it's place, especially since a man is shamed if he did not wear a blade in public (never mind being dangerous).

nacho · 14th July 2008, 05:54 AM

here is a dagger that looks like yours. This one has inscriptions on the blade. A friend said it could be in Jawi. The handle is ivory.

29th June 2008, 08:45 PM	#1
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Two more gunongs My love affair with this southern Philippine dagger continues. 14 1/2" overall length, inserted edge. First pic is ebay pic with cellophane tape on the scabbard and a "field expedient" leather belt loop. Second is now. I added the rattan wrap, and left the cord wrap at the top. Horn ferrule was split. It has been repaired with epoxy. 10 1/4" monosteel blade. Some fittings are a pinkish color. A copper alloy of some sort I would suppose. Lovely piece.

14th July 2008, 05:54 AM	#6
nacho Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Makati Posts: 69	similar dagger here is a dagger that looks like yours. This one has inscriptions on the blade. A friend said it could be in Jawi. The handle is ivory. Attached Images

30th June 2008, 02:50 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	Once again, you are the Gunong King, and very sharp guy ( ) who always makes a good point ( ).....ok I'll stop ( ). Yes the pinkish parts are a silver-copper alloy meaning more copper mixed with the copper than usual. The brilliance of Moro craftsmen is that they used different mixtures to get different colors. Again, have you tried etching these blades?

30th June 2008, 11:49 AM	#3
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Thanks Jose. Yes, I etched both. The larger one has an inserted edge, but there is little contrast. Hard to see in pictures. The smaller one is monosteel. Since there was no pattern, I used some metal polish to bring it back a bit from the gray etch. Steve

30th June 2008, 04:24 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Steve Love that big gunong they must have made these larger for some reason probably to get around some type of sword ban or something like that? The smaller one is nice and for some reason it looks familar to me . Congrats Lew

1st July 2008, 03:42 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	My understanding is that is right, Lew. After the Battle of Bud Bagsak, all Moros were banned from wearing kris or swords for a while. The gunong began to take it's place, especially since a man is shamed if he did not wear a blade in public (never mind being dangerous).