Two new Gunongs

[Sajen]

Hello Leif,

two very nice additions to your growing collection. The big one one with the broad blade and aluminium fittings is a real beauty. I really like this type of gunong with the very nice okir engravings on the blade and this eye-catching bulky ferrule worked from horn, bakalite (I am also not sure about the used material here) and aluminium. When I am you I would polish the aluminium fittings at the scabbard, you can get them very shiny, look to my thread ( http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=gunong) post #8, I've used fine steel wool with metal polish.

The other one is like said in my opinion later but has a very nice blade. Be careful with polishing the fittings that you don't rub away the silver plating.

You assembled a nice collection of gunongs there, I would be happy when I could add each piece to my own collection!

Best regards,
Detlef

[kai]

I would be happy when I could add each piece to my own collection!

Hey, that's my line, Detlef!


Hello Leif,

Thanks for posting these nice additions to your collection!

I also especially like the large one. It seems that also the aluminium was (silver?)-plated; I'm not sure what is needed to plate aluminium - that may help to narrow down the time frame.

While I usually am not that fond of pointy luk, this blade does look crafted really well. I'd love to see the blade stained - if laminated, the pattern may confirm that it was forged to shape rather than done by stock removal! BTW, I believe the hilt will look even better if you keep nourishing the wood over several weeks.

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

It seems that also the aluminium was (silver?)-plated; I'm not sure what is needed to plate aluminium..

Hello Kai,

I doubt that it was ever silver plated. And the only way I am aware to silver-plate aluminium is electroplating. And I don't think that it was a used technic to this time.

Regards,
Detlef

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

I doubt that it was ever silver plated. And the only way I am aware to silver-plate aluminium is electroplating. And I don't think that it was a used technic to this time.

Maybe we rather have to adjust the estimated time frame?

Have a look at pic #14 (the tip/finial fixed with the copper nails): This looks like 2 metals to me and any other metal plating on aluminium is even more unlikely IMHO. Quality gunong have been produced throughout the 20th century, and contrary to many other ethnographic blades quality is not per se correlated with age. The dagger certainly seems to have some age - I don't have any data on the earliest examples of this style though. Maybe just the scabbard got replaced later? (Craftsmanship of the scabbard does look a bit subpar compared to the dagger IMVHO.)

Regards,
Kai

[Rafngard]

Thank you all for you kind comments.

There were a few I wanted to respond to

Originally Posted by kai

BTW, I believe the hilt will look even better if you keep nourishing the wood over several weeks.

Hello Kai,

I'm not quite sure what this process would involve. I don't suppose there's a thread somewhere that explains this process?

Originally Posted by kai

I also especially like the large one. It seems that also the aluminium was (silver?)-plated; I'm not sure what is needed to plate aluminium

It actually looks a bit more like, maybe corrosion? in person. But I'm far from an expert, but I could be wrong.

Originally Posted by Battara

Your second one I might place between the 1920s-30s. The metal fittings look to be silver over copper (I see copper remnants).

It looks like you are becoming a gunong collector - fascinating aren't they?

Hello Battara

Yes, silver over copper makes sense. I hadn't noticed the copper tones before. It's amazing what photos can bring out.

And yeah, the gunong bug has definitely bit. I love these things.

Originally Posted by Sajen

You assembled a nice collection of gunongs there, I would be happy when I could add each piece to my own collection!

Hello Detlef,

I think this high praise indeed! Thanks!

Originally Posted by Sajen

When I am you I would polish the aluminium fittings at the scabbard, you can get them very shiny, look to my thread [...] post #8, I've used fine steel wool with metal polish.

You know, it never occurred to me to try to polish the aluminium. I'll have to give this a try when I find some time.

Thanks,
Leif