My first Kampilan!!!

[Flavio]

And here is the kamp!! The blade is nice laminated. The handle shows a very nice shine, glossy patina. The handle had some thread but is now lost. Anyway I think that happens some time ago since the patina is also here. The carvings are filled with a white paste that maybe is not original because there is also in a crack that was restored. Anyway I think that was made tribally and also some times ago. What I like more is the iron guard, that often is lost. The eyes of the croc are lost, any suggestions about the coins that were used? Any comment is welcome. Thank you

FLavio

[Flavio]

more

[Rick]

A nice example of a hairy kampilan .
Congratulations Flavio .

[Tim Simmons]

I want one

[Flavio]

Thank you Rick and Tim!

Any idea on the age? because even if the patina makes me think of at least a piece of early XX century I have seen before this white decoration among carvings but on scabbards of kris that are post WWII (ganga not dived), so your help is welcome Thank you

[Rick]

It seems we share the same style of crossguard .

Cecil Q. guestimated my example to be mid 19thC.

How worn is the hilt ?

[Flavio]

Hi Rick,

the hilt is well worn and used and yes the crossguards are the same, but I think that for the rest your kamp shows an older type of hilt shape but I'm not an expert at all so I will be happy if also mine would be so old

[kai]

Hello Flavio,

Nice laminated blade! Could you please post a pic of the blade tip?

Any idea on the age? because even if the patina makes me think of at least a piece of early XX century I have seen before this white decoration among carvings but on scabbards of kris that are post WWII (ganga not dived)

I'd have no qualms to assign it to the turn of the century at least, likely 2nd half of 19th century. The carving work is good but not top notch - collected during the Span.-Am. war and following colonial battles may be a good guess.

Lime paste seems to be an old way to enhance the carving work - I'll try to post pics of an example which I'd place mid-19th c. at least. (It seems plausible to assume that this might have been the starting point for developing inlay of bone/ivory/MOP later on.)

The slender end of the pommel seems to have been broken severa times with the tip missing for already a long time. Coins seem to have been used indiscriminately - you could utilize late 19th c. US coins for restoration.

BTW, the first kris with non-separate gangya seem to show up in late 19th c. and to become dominant about 1930.

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Hello Rick,

It seems we share the same style of crossguard .

Actually, only the iron staple guards are close (4 vs 5 loops); the wooden cross guard is different!

How worn is the hilt ?

I don't see too much wear on Flavio's pommel; a bit on the crossguard which could be older.

Regards,
Kai

[Battara]

Congratulations! Very nice puppy. Especially when the hair is replaced.

As far as coins for the eyes are concerned, you could try 1880's Spanish silver coins (if you can find any).

[Flavio]

Thank you Kai and Jose

It's nice to know that could be turn of the century, thank you so much!

Here are some pics of the point blade, hope that are not too much

About restoring the kamp... well I don't know I think I will leave as it is, I like it, shows character, I think.....

[kai]

Hello Flavio,

Here are some pics of the point blade, hope that are not too much

Thanks! There is no such thing as too many pics.

Regards,
Kai

[Flavio]

Rick,

how much wide is the rattan on the handle of your kampilan?

Thank you

Flavio

[Rick]

Hi Flavio ,

Near life size pictures of the handle and the plugs on the tip .

[Flavio]

Thank you Rick