Philippino Bowie/Navaja

Spunjer · 3rd January 2014, 05:17 PM

hello LL,
welcome! now that's one cool dagger you got there!!! yes, it's 1st revolutionary era piece. the blade profile does looks like a navaja, but it also reminds me of a stubby version of a visayan blade colloquially known as plamingko. the handles on these pieces have somewhat similar motif to the rank insignias of the 1st Revolutionary soldiers. it has been postulated then, that the carvings on the handle signified the rank of the original owner.
what's interesting is your description of the blade; it's silver???
i have posted mine for comparison. the handle is similar, but with a more common design blade.

3rd January 2014, 05:17 PM	#8
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	hello LL, welcome! now that's one cool dagger you got there!!! yes, it's 1st revolutionary era piece. the blade profile does looks like a navaja, but it also reminds me of a stubby version of a visayan blade colloquially known as plamingko. the handles on these pieces have somewhat similar motif to the rank insignias of the 1st Revolutionary soldiers. it has been postulated then, that the carvings on the handle signified the rank of the original owner. what's interesting is your description of the blade; it's silver??? i have posted mine for comparison. the handle is similar, but with a more common design blade. Attached Images