3 more Gunongs

Rafngard · 19th September 2015, 09:39 PM

Yep, I'm hooked on PI weapons.

Finally had a chance to take from photos of some of my new stuff, not an overcast day, but I did the best I could. I've had good luck with Gunongs recently, and I got each of these for a rather modest price. I think all of them should be post WII.

The first one was, per the seller, acquired in Davao city in 1993 seller described as "tiboli pattern," but that doesn't seem quite right to me. Maranao maybe? I'm not very good at this yet. I don't think this one is likely to have a laminated blade, but I like the okir. The guard and scabbard look like white metal. It needs a cleaning, and the pommel needs some love.

The second one I know nothing about the history of. A fairly simple piece. I suspect the guard is from a copper coin. The lamination is beautiful. I could stare at it all day. I think the leather on the scabbard is a latter addition. Not sure what the ferrule is made of.

The third one I think is Maranao (based on the okir), but I could be wrong. I think the guard and ferrule are horn. In direct sunlight, it's clear that blade is laminated, but could use an etch. You can kind of see this in the last photo.

I'm happy to hear any opinions about age, which culture produced these, what materials were used, or anything else.

Have fun,
Leif

Rafngard · 19th September 2015, 09:50 PM

Family photos! These three along with my first gunong, posted to forum here

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20261

Sajen · 19th September 2015, 10:17 PM

Hello Rafngard,

agree with you that the first one is very recent, my guess would be around the 70s last century.

The second one I like very much and is from the 20s/30s in my opinion, the ferrule look like silver, to be sure you need to test it.

The third one is a typical piece from the 40s, the design of the okir engraving and the form let me think like this.

Nice small family!

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 19th September 2015, 10:45 PM

Hi Rafngard:

I agree with Detlef. The first one is second half of 20th C, and the other two are earlier 20th C.

While there is no reason the T'boli could not make gunong like these--they make excellent blades that are sought after by other tribes (usually the small kampilan style)--I have not heard of them making gunong before.

Nice family--momma, papa, and the two kids.

Ian.

Battara · 20th September 2015, 09:39 PM

I will only add that usually the T'boli would make a lost wax method solid bronze/brass hilt with geometric designs.

Rafngard · 21st September 2015, 01:29 PM

Thank you all very much for your insights on these.

Thanks,
Leif

19th September 2015, 09:39 PM	#1
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 340	3 more Gunongs Yep, I'm hooked on PI weapons. Finally had a chance to take from photos of some of my new stuff, not an overcast day, but I did the best I could. I've had good luck with Gunongs recently, and I got each of these for a rather modest price. I think all of them should be post WII. The first one was, per the seller, acquired in Davao city in 1993 seller described as "tiboli pattern," but that doesn't seem quite right to me. Maranao maybe? I'm not very good at this yet. I don't think this one is likely to have a laminated blade, but I like the okir. The guard and scabbard look like white metal. It needs a cleaning, and the pommel needs some love. The second one I know nothing about the history of. A fairly simple piece. I suspect the guard is from a copper coin. The lamination is beautiful. I could stare at it all day. I think the leather on the scabbard is a latter addition. Not sure what the ferrule is made of. The third one I think is Maranao (based on the okir), but I could be wrong. I think the guard and ferrule are horn. In direct sunlight, it's clear that blade is laminated, but could use an etch. You can kind of see this in the last photo. I'm happy to hear any opinions about age, which culture produced these, what materials were used, or anything else. Have fun, Leif Attached Images

19th September 2015, 09:50 PM	#2
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 340	....and because I'm a nerd. Family photos! These three along with my first gunong, posted to forum here http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20261 Attached Images

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19th September 2015, 10:17 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Hello Rafngard, agree with you that the first one is very recent, my guess would be around the 70s last century. The second one I like very much and is from the 20s/30s in my opinion, the ferrule look like silver, to be sure you need to test it. The third one is a typical piece from the 40s, the design of the okir engraving and the form let me think like this. Nice small family! Regards, Detlef

19th September 2015, 10:45 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Hi Rafngard: I agree with Detlef. The first one is second half of 20th C, and the other two are earlier 20th C. While there is no reason the T'boli could not make gunong like these--they make excellent blades that are sought after by other tribes (usually the small kampilan style)--I have not heard of them making gunong before. Nice family--momma, papa, and the two kids. Ian.

20th September 2015, 09:39 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	I will only add that usually the T'boli would make a lost wax method solid bronze/brass hilt with geometric designs.

21st September 2015, 01:29 PM	#6
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 340	Thank you all very much for your insights on these. Thanks, Leif