Just Ended On Epray ????

Battara · 3rd September 2012, 05:23 PM

The piece is a Moro panabas. The style is Moro and the okir decoration is Moro, perhaps Sulu.

Robert · 3rd September 2012, 08:40 PM

I would like to thank everyone who have commented so far for their help and interest.
Jose, thank you for confirming that it is Moro and its possible place of origin as Sulu.
I know that I have seen another piece with a hilt like this posted somewhere here on the forum of possibly on another forum or sales site. It matches this hilt down to the end cap with small "ivory" knob on the end. If anyone knows of this post and photo, please post a link or contact by PM if it is on a sales site.
Detlef, the seller states that in his opinion this is an old piece and all parts are original to it. For the price paid I thought it would be worth the risk to be able to add it to my collection. If anyone else can add to what has already been said or have any other comments on this they would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all again.

Regards,
Robert

Battara · 3rd September 2012, 10:37 PM

I do have to admit, however, the style of blade is not typical of what I have seen as old and traditional. However, it does look Moro for sure.

Robert · 5th September 2012, 07:23 AM

Hello Jose and again I thank you for your continued interest and comments on this unusual piece. I read somewhere that this is an older style of blade and is supposed to represent a crocodile viewed from the side with its eyes just above the water line. I just wish that I could remember where it was that I read it so I could post the source. As for the actual age of this piece I am quite sure you are a much better judge on that than I am.

Regards,
Robert

CharlesS · 5th September 2012, 02:29 PM

The okir decoration may be correct, but I am not sure that it is old. I am certain that the wooden hilt is a newer restoration.

The seller of this piece is quite aware of the value of an older pananbas, and based on what he was asking for this one, I think it was an acknowledgement that something was "off".

Battara · 5th September 2012, 06:31 PM

Good point Charles about the hilt.

Robert · 5th September 2012, 06:54 PM

Hello CharlesS and thank you for your comments and opinion on this piece. I have been in correspondence with Charles "the seller of this item" and he states that he believes that it is all original, he will only say that it is "vintage or earlier" as far as age is concerned but bases this on the fact that the blade is of folded steel construction while in his words the "newer ones are made from melted coil springs while most are made from flimsy metals made for tourist." He also states that the hilt is hand made and not lathe turned and that the "grains of the handle is fine due to continued use." As you say, the hilt quite possibly could be a newer restoration but from what time frame and what would be your opinion on the age of the blade itself? Regardless of the outcome I believe that for what was paid it is still quite an interesting piece.

Regards,
Robert

Battara · 6th September 2012, 03:36 AM

I have been thinking about this blade shape ever since I saw this post. I have seen others but they were either newly made or recently modified.

Could this be a unique form found only in the Sulu regions?

More research is required.

Sajen · 6th September 2012, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

The okir decoration may be correct, but I am not sure that it is old. I am certain that the wooden hilt is a newer restoration.

The seller of this piece is quite aware of the value of an older pananbas, and based on what he was asking for this one, I think it was an acknowledgement that something was "off".

Agree at this point, the handle look still rather recent to my eyes. I miss signs of patination.

5th September 2012, 07:23 AM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Jose and again I thank you for your continued interest and comments on this unusual piece. I read somewhere that this is an older style of blade and is supposed to represent a crocodile viewed from the side with its eyes just above the water line. I just wish that I could remember where it was that I read it so I could post the source. As for the actual age of this piece I am quite sure you are a much better judge on that than I am. Regards, Robert Attached Images

3rd September 2012, 05:23 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	The piece is a Moro panabas. The style is Moro and the okir decoration is Moro, perhaps Sulu.

3rd September 2012, 08:40 PM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I would like to thank everyone who have commented so far for their help and interest. Jose, thank you for confirming that it is Moro and its possible place of origin as Sulu. I know that I have seen another piece with a hilt like this posted somewhere here on the forum of possibly on another forum or sales site. It matches this hilt down to the end cap with small "ivory" knob on the end. If anyone knows of this post and photo, please post a link or contact by PM if it is on a sales site. Detlef, the seller states that in his opinion this is an old piece and all parts are original to it. For the price paid I thought it would be worth the risk to be able to add it to my collection. If anyone else can add to what has already been said or have any other comments on this they would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all again. Regards, Robert

3rd September 2012, 10:37 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I do have to admit, however, the style of blade is not typical of what I have seen as old and traditional. However, it does look Moro for sure.

5th September 2012, 02:29 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	The okir decoration may be correct, but I am not sure that it is old. I am certain that the wooden hilt is a newer restoration. The seller of this piece is quite aware of the value of an older pananbas, and based on what he was asking for this one, I think it was an acknowledgement that something was "off".

5th September 2012, 06:31 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Good point Charles about the hilt.

5th September 2012, 06:54 PM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello CharlesS and thank you for your comments and opinion on this piece. I have been in correspondence with Charles "the seller of this item" and he states that he believes that it is all original, he will only say that it is "vintage or earlier" as far as age is concerned but bases this on the fact that the blade is of folded steel construction while in his words the "newer ones are made from melted coil springs while most are made from flimsy metals made for tourist." He also states that the hilt is hand made and not lathe turned and that the "grains of the handle is fine due to continued use." As you say, the hilt quite possibly could be a newer restoration but from what time frame and what would be your opinion on the age of the blade itself? Regardless of the outcome I believe that for what was paid it is still quite an interesting piece. Regards, Robert

6th September 2012, 03:36 AM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I have been thinking about this blade shape ever since I saw this post. I have seen others but they were either newly made or recently modified. Could this be a unique form found only in the Sulu regions? More research is required.