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#1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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my pleasure to share this beauty. one of the most magnificent gunong i've ever laid my eyes on. the blade is heavier than usual, and the shape is somewhat different. it has a fuller, something i've never seen before on a gunong. ricasso is fairly thick, measuring at almost a quarter of an inch. total length of the blade is 6 inches.
the pommel is ivory, the slender type. looks like this has been displayed since one side is darker than the other. the ferrule is well executed: there are two rings, both tested 14k gold or better. as far as the middle part, i'm not quite sure if it's swaasa or copper, since i don't feel comfortable filing any part of it to get a sample for gold testing. the band right below the bottom ring is gold as well. the crossguard is brass. not sure why the craftsman stop at this, lol. the scabbard is wood encased with silver, made into a hexagonal pattern. the odd thing is the belt loop, which is placed on the opposite side. yes, i've tried putting the blade the other way around, and no, it won't fit. for a left hander perhaps? it looks to be of Maranao origin, based on the okir on the belt loop. overall length is 10 1/4", in scabbard. this piece definitely earned her place with the royal set ![]() enjoy! |
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#2 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,091
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Wow, that's a sweet one for sure. I think i would have to agree that it is one of the nicest i've seen as well.
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#3 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,285
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Dee Luxe !!
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#4 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Posts: 236
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Simply stunning!
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#5 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 114
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......Very nice............jimmy
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#6 |
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 413
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The blade itself is remarkable. This is a serious weapon! The thickness seems very unusual. Has anyone else seen a gunong with as robust a blade as this one?
Oh yes, the rest of the knife is … simply gorgeous. |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,717
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Hi Ron,
send it to me! ![]() ![]() Regards, Detlef |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 1,855
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Exceptional!! ....not your average gunong. You better not let Steve F. see it!
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#9 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 999
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Super nice.
Etch it and let us that pattern pop out. |
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#10 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 1,324
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Super beautifull piece Ron!
Congratulations!!! |
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#11 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,153
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Very, very nice Ron. Congratulations. Do you plan to etch that blade--looks like it has quite a lot of pattern to it.
Ian |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 1,083
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Given the thickness of the blade at the handle and the way the fullers are oriented along with the tip and I wonder if this isn't a reshaped blade from another weapon? Lovely mounts and the etching could be revealing whether it was forged this way or cut down from something else.
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#13 |
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thanks all! i tried the hot water test and it didn't show any lamination. will try the vinegar next time.
as far as the blade, i attached some more pics of a comparison with a similar type. notice that the original gunong posted is much thicker. the overall design looks as if it has some western influence as well. |
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#14 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,091
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Well damn, don't those make a nice pair!
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#15 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,285
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Well, Ron the thicker of the two blades shows some forging flaws; they may be indicative of something going on in that blade .
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#16 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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Fricken, bricked beautiful!
Looks like gold and swassa too......... |
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#17 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Witness Protection Program
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![]() Quote:
Jose, yes, it's gold, 14 k or better using nitric acid to test. as far as swaasa, it's most likely but i'm worried about testing it since there's no way to file it without leaving a mark. |
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#18 |
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regarding the second piece:
scabbard is silver as well, but in an oval fashion, the ukkil decoration on top and bottom are actually glued on the scabbard, with the top on being pretty loose, so i took off and tested, which turned out to be swaasa. meanwhile the rings accentuating the ukkil decoration are gold as well. ferrule is 14k gold and crosspiece is low grade silver... |
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#19 |
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the third piece has an unusual take on its scabbard. heck, i just noticed it today, lol. the part that's facing out (same side as the belt loop), is made out of carabao horn, while the other side is narra wood. not that it's outstanding now, but i can just imagine this piece when it was newly made. the black carabao horn bordered by silver throat and toe would have been stunning! that, with silver crosspiece, red swaasa ferrule, and white ivory pommel would've stood out pretty good. btw, the crosspiece is made from a coin. you could vaguely see the roman letter "L" on one of the tips.
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#20 |
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i tried etching the blades, and gunong number two is the only one that i think is laminated. it does have a hardened edge for sure. meanwhile the other two appears to be mono steel. here's the three of them for comparison.
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#21 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,091
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Now you're just hurtin' me bro...
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#22 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centerville, Kansas
Posts: 2,196
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Absolutely amazing pieces Spunjer.
![]() Best, Robert |
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#23 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,717
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I only can second Roberts comment! Beautiful gunongs!
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#24 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
Posts: 3,138
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WOW! THIS TAKES GUNONGS TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL .
I TOO WAS THINKING ALONG THE LINES OF THE BLADE BEING MADE FROM A LARGER BLADE CUT DOWN PERHAPS A CUSTOM ORDER. THE OTHER POSSIBILITY IS A SHOP PRODUCING HIGH END WEAPONS USING CUT DOWN BLADES AND EXPENSIVE FITTINGS TO SELL TO THE DEMAND OF RICH CLIENTS. THE SPANISH COME TO MIND AS THEY HAD WEALTHY OFFICERS AND FLASHY WEAPONS AND UNIFORMS APPEALED TO THEM. NO DOUBT WEALTHY PHILIPPINOS OF THE TIME WOULD HAVE LIKED THEM AS WELL. CONGRADULATIONS ON SOME REAL BEAUTIES. ![]() |
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#25 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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Well Bro, you have some of the nicest gunongs I have ever seen.
Don't let "Tito Gunong" see these! ![]() |
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#26 |
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Thanks!
i might as well make this my gunong thread, lol. ![]() up next is a curious gunong. the handle is ivory, with silver ferrule. scabbard is wood and brass, from the way it looks. didn't want to disturb this one, so i left it as it is.. what's unusual is once i took it off the scabbard, the first thing that came to my mind was, "this ain't no gunong; it's a freakin' butter knife!" as i was cleaning the blade, something interesting came out of it. first, the lamination pattern which is an unusual pattern for a gunong. and then the silver disc appeared. the disc is more like a plug, since it goes all the way through. my conclusion? the blade was more likely a tip of a sword (most likely a kris) abbreviated to this. pretty neat! another thing is a piece of info that was taped on the scabbard. it says,"PRESENTED BY THE SULTAN OF DITSAN TO C.M.T., DALAMA, MINDANAO, 1913." so here's a provenance. if that piece of information is to be believed,what we have here is a dated gunong (1913). not quite the 19th century that was inquired on a previous post, but close. anyway as far as the provenance: yes, it's possible that it could have been added by anyone, but to pick a particular royal house is interesting (out of 15 or 16 Royal Houses). actually, it's suppose to be the Sultan of Ditsaan (from the principality of Bayabao). as far as who C.M.T. was, well, that's anyone's guess (Certified Massage Therapist? ![]() |
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#27 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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Well it is possible that it was made earlier and given later by that sultan.
Great that it has this provenance! ![]() Interesting that the tip is blunt the way it is......... |
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#28 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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Another great and especially unusual gunong.
![]() Regards, Detlef |
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#29 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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thanks, Detlef!
Quote:
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#30 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kernersville, NC, USA
Posts: 793
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Spunjer, those are some very beautiful pieces! I love the octagonal (?) scabbard. I've never seen one of those. The hilts are beautiful as well. Thanks for sharing!
Steve |
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