An old plamingko

h0ll0wman · 16th September 2022, 01:12 AM

I recently acquired this beautiful piece. The fittings on the scabbard and hilt seems to be brass and aluminum.

Battara · 16th September 2022, 03:26 AM

Very nice with aluminum(?) mounts. The head could be that of Bakunawa from the Visayas. Post WW2 looks like.

xasterix · 16th September 2022, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Very nice with aluminum(?) mounts. The head could be that of Bakunawa from the Visayas. Post WW2 looks like.

I'm just curious- since it has brass, could it possibly be pre-war? I've noticed that the WW2/immediately postWW2 Panay pieces only have aluminum fittings (no brass parts anymore). Level of detail might also correspond to prewar.

Just a thought, though, am no Panay expert- always looking forward to learn more!

Battara · 16th September 2022, 07:46 PM

I guess the question is are the white metal parts aluminum or silver or nickel-copper alloy? They look aluminum to me and this wasn't in ample supply until WW2. Brass/bronze has always been available. So a testing of the metal would be the only way to be 100% sure of silver content or not.

h0ll0wman · 17th September 2022, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

I guess the question is are the white metal parts aluminum or silver or nickel-copper alloy? They look aluminum to me and this wasn't in ample supply until WW2. Brass/bronze has always been available. So a testing of the metal would be the only way to be 100% sure of silver content or not.

It feels and look aluminum to me. Is there a simple way to test the metal fittings? Regarding the silver content.

kino · 17th September 2022, 06:28 PM

Nice find, hollowman.
Judging by the amount of aluminum vs brass used, maybe it wasn’t readily available or possibly a post-WWII addition / replacement.

Battara · 17th September 2022, 10:19 PM

Kino has a point. Might be earlier with latter additions. They are nicely done in any case.

h0ll0wman · 18th September 2022, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kino

Nice find, hollowman.
Judging by the amount of aluminum vs brass used, maybe it wasn’t readily available or possibly a post-WWII addition / replacement.

interesting information. thank you sir.

h0ll0wman · 18th September 2022, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Kino has a point. Might be earlier with latter additions. They are nicely done in any case.

I appreciate all your inputs Battara.

kronckew · 18th September 2022, 03:51 PM

Don't forget, up till 1886, when, with the availability of cheap electric power, they invented the electrical processing of alumina into aluminium, it was a rare and precious metal and only used for decorative embellishments like this Knife & scabbard.

Aluminium did exist and was used much earlier than y'all think. I hear a cutler made a dinner setting for a King about 1825 with aluminium handles.

Aluminium was certainly available and used in the late 19c., and readily available pre WW1 for structural military use - when they used it to build airships - Zeppelins - to bomb London. Duralumin alloy used in airships was invented in Germany in 1909 and was a state secret for a while. But that's another story.

Use of easily salvaged aluminium from WW2 aircraft wrecks, of course, expanded greatly during/after WW2 in the far east.

16th September 2022, 01:12 AM	#1
h0ll0wman Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Posts: 73	An old plamingko I recently acquired this beautiful piece. The fittings on the scabbard and hilt seems to be brass and aluminum. Attached Images

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

16th September 2022, 03:26 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,240	Very nice with aluminum(?) mounts. The head could be that of Bakunawa from the Visayas. Post WW2 looks like.

16th September 2022, 07:46 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,240	I guess the question is are the white metal parts aluminum or silver or nickel-copper alloy? They look aluminum to me and this wasn't in ample supply until WW2. Brass/bronze has always been available. So a testing of the metal would be the only way to be 100% sure of silver content or not.

17th September 2022, 06:28 PM	#6
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,012	Nice find, hollowman. Judging by the amount of aluminum vs brass used, maybe it wasn’t readily available or possibly a post-WWII addition / replacement.

17th September 2022, 10:19 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,240	Kino has a point. Might be earlier with latter additions. They are nicely done in any case.

18th September 2022, 03:51 PM	#10
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,190	Don't forget, up till 1886, when, with the availability of cheap electric power, they invented the electrical processing of alumina into aluminium, it was a rare and precious metal and only used for decorative embellishments like this Knife & scabbard. Aluminium did exist and was used much earlier than y'all think. I hear a cutler made a dinner setting for a King about 1825 with aluminium handles. Aluminium was certainly available and used in the late 19c., and readily available pre WW1 for structural military use - when they used it to build airships - Zeppelins - to bomb London. Duralumin alloy used in airships was invented in Germany in 1909 and was a state secret for a while. But that's another story. Use of easily salvaged aluminium from WW2 aircraft wrecks, of course, expanded greatly during/after WW2 in the far east.