Old large Gunong

h0ll0wman · 28th August 2022, 02:00 PM

This is the largest gunong in my collection so far. It measures 14 3/4” in total length. I am not sure about its age though.

Battara · 28th August 2022, 11:24 PM

I might place this in the 1920s-1930s. The later it got in time, the bigger they sometimes got.

Here is one of mine that probably belonged to a sultan. It has sheets of chased gold on the scabbard, made of silver and copper as well. Yes the pommel is ivory. The length in scabbard is 20 inches.

Battara · 28th August 2022, 11:29 PM

I forgot to mention that the okir on your gunong looks Maranao tribe to me. The blade is not forged like this but appears to be by stock removal. Nice burl wood scabbard and pommel.

Are the copper looking bands copper or swassa?

h0ll0wman · 29th August 2022, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I forgot to mention that the okir on your gunong looks Maranao tribe to me. The blade is not forged like this but appears to be by stock removal. Nice burl wood scabbard and pommel.

Are the copper looking bands copper or swassa?

Hello Battara. I appreciate all of your inputs. The bands appears to be swassa. Regarding the blade I thought it was forged considering the waves are smoother compared to gunongs done via stock removal. Nice gunong you have there. Thank you for sharing.

RobT · 30th August 2022, 12:48 AM

h0ll0wman,

I think that, had the curves been traditionally forged, the center ridge would echo the curves of the edges as in Battara's example.

Sincerely,
RobT

Battara · 30th August 2022, 04:18 AM

Rob you are on the money! The mid ridge should parallel the waves of the blade in a forged blade.

Some plain stock removal can be rough, but I've seen later kris and gunong have mono-steel stock removal with well polished blades.

h0ll0wman · 30th August 2022, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobT

h0ll0wman,

I think that, had the curves been traditionally forged, the center ridge would echo the curves of the edges as in Battara's example.

Sincerely,
RobT

Interesting. I learned something new. Thank you.

28th August 2022, 02:00 PM	#1
h0ll0wman Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 78	Old large Gunong This is the largest gunong in my collection so far. It measures 14 3/4” in total length. I am not sure about its age though. Attached Images

28th August 2022, 11:24 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I might place this in the 1920s-1930s. The later it got in time, the bigger they sometimes got. Here is one of mine that probably belonged to a sultan. It has sheets of chased gold on the scabbard, made of silver and copper as well. Yes the pommel is ivory. The length in scabbard is 20 inches. Attached Images

30th August 2022, 12:48 AM	#5
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 533	Not Forged I Think h0ll0wman, I think that, had the curves been traditionally forged, the center ridge would echo the curves of the edges as in Battara's example. Sincerely, RobT Last edited by RobT; 30th August 2022 at 12:50 AM. Reason: add'l info

28th August 2022, 11:29 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I forgot to mention that the okir on your gunong looks Maranao tribe to me. The blade is not forged like this but appears to be by stock removal. Nice burl wood scabbard and pommel. Are the copper looking bands copper or swassa?

30th August 2022, 04:18 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Rob you are on the money! The mid ridge should parallel the waves of the blade in a forged blade. Some plain stock removal can be rough, but I've seen later kris and gunong have mono-steel stock removal with well polished blades.