Just Ended On Epray ????

[Battara]

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]

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]

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]

Good point Charles about the hilt.

[Robert]

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]

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.

[Gustav]

Pitting on the blade looks rather strange to me.

Is this how banati wood looks like? Tiger striped pieces used for Kakatua do have quite a different look.Yet perhaps it just isn't a root piece?

Only the knob of the ivory (?) end piece looks old to me.

[Robert]

Hello Gustav, and thank you for commenting on this. The pitting on the blade looks pretty standard to me though the blade does look like it has been cleaned before and not oiled or waxed and has started to develop rust again. The wooden hilt though not burl "a root piece" does look like banti to me. As for the butt cap, the seller indicated in his description that it was buffalo horn though the small knob at the end looks more like some type of ivory to me and is very possible that I am totally wrong about its composition. Hopefully many of the questions about this can be better answered after it arrives. Again my thanks for your interest.

Regards,
Robert

[Sajen]

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.