A large pira

DaveS · 13th December 2013, 11:14 PM

Charles: I don't think that the pommel has been cut down. I can't see any
evidence of that, and the patina on the wood looks the same. If
it was cut down it must have been shortly after it was originally
carved. You are right. I have seen so many variations in different
swords and knives in almost 29 years of collecting that i'm not
surprised at any kind of variation seen. I think today many col-
lectors think that if something dosn't follow a set pattern that it
must be either recent or a tourist piece.
Imas560: The thickness at the base of the blade is not quite 3/8ths
of an inch. The blade is a little bit more heavier in the hand than
some other moro pieces i have held.
Jim: I'm not sure which group originally used the pira, but i seem
to have a recollection that it was the Yakans. Not positive
though............Dave.

imas560 · 14th December 2013, 01:18 AM

Apologies Dave,
you did mention thickness in originating post, I just got excited and looked at the pictures

Rick · 14th December 2013, 02:04 AM

Did I miss a full picture of this piece unsheathed somewhere ?

C'mon, take that pretty dress off .

Spunjer · 14th December 2013, 02:44 AM

Beautiful pira! To answer your question, Jim, pira are exclusively Yakan, an indigenous tribe from Basilan. Yeah, Dave, would love to see the shape of the blade. Question tho: do you think the scabbard is original to the blade?

DaveS · 14th December 2013, 04:49 AM

Spunger: Yeah, there is no doubt that the scabbard was made for this
blade. Whether or not it was made as a later replacement i can't
Tell. Tomorrow i"ll try to post a picture of the blade next to the
scabbard and i will do that from now on, as it does give a better
perspective.........Dave.

Jim McDougall · 14th December 2013, 03:06 PM

Dave and Spunjer, thank you guys for responding to my questions. It truly does give me and others not familiar with these forms some perspective to what is obviously an attractive and interesting weapon.

DaveS · 14th December 2013, 09:26 PM

A couple more pictures that Charles requested of the pira next to the
scabbard. Sorry, but i didn't get the whole thing in. I also took a closeup
of a woven rattan belt loop closer. I can't remember seeing one like this
before unless i just wasn't paying close attention and missed it.....Dave.

13th December 2013, 11:14 PM	#1
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	A large pira Charles: I don't think that the pommel has been cut down. I can't see any evidence of that, and the patina on the wood looks the same. If it was cut down it must have been shortly after it was originally carved. You are right. I have seen so many variations in different swords and knives in almost 29 years of collecting that i'm not surprised at any kind of variation seen. I think today many col- lectors think that if something dosn't follow a set pattern that it must be either recent or a tourist piece. Imas560: The thickness at the base of the blade is not quite 3/8ths of an inch. The blade is a little bit more heavier in the hand than some other moro pieces i have held. Jim: I'm not sure which group originally used the pira, but i seem to have a recollection that it was the Yakans. Not positive though............Dave.

14th December 2013, 04:49 AM	#5
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	A large pira Spunger: Yeah, there is no doubt that the scabbard was made for this blade. Whether or not it was made as a later replacement i can't Tell. Tomorrow i"ll try to post a picture of the blade next to the scabbard and i will do that from now on, as it does give a better perspective.........Dave.

14th December 2013, 09:26 PM	#7
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	More pira pictures A couple more pictures that Charles requested of the pira next to the scabbard. Sorry, but i didn't get the whole thing in. I also took a closeup of a woven rattan belt loop closer. I can't remember seeing one like this before unless i just wasn't paying close attention and missed it.....Dave. Attached Images

14th December 2013, 01:18 AM	#2
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	Apologies Dave, you did mention thickness in originating post, I just got excited and looked at the pictures

14th December 2013, 02:04 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,378	Did I miss a full picture of this piece unsheathed somewhere ? C'mon, take that pretty dress off .

14th December 2013, 02:44 AM	#4
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	Beautiful pira! To answer your question, Jim, pira are exclusively Yakan, an indigenous tribe from Basilan. Yeah, Dave, would love to see the shape of the blade. Question tho: do you think the scabbard is original to the blade?

14th December 2013, 03:06 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,680	Dave and Spunjer, thank you guys for responding to my questions. It truly does give me and others not familiar with these forms some perspective to what is obviously an attractive and interesting weapon.