Kampilan with unusual hilt

Ian · 20th June 2015, 05:08 PM

Hi Jim:

I have found an occasional bring back of a US serviceman to have been treated with cosmoline or even varnished to prevent rust. These were mainly early 20th C items or immediately after WWII.

I doubt that the Moros would have used that technique to preserve and then rehabilitate old blades. Not heard of them doing that. Basically, old weapons that were no longer serviceable would be recycled into newly forged weapons or other useful items.

Some datus might have been in the habit of stockpiling weapons to arm their warriors in times of warfare, but individual Moro warriors usually carried their own weapons. Captured weapons might well have been stockpiled or handed out to the victors for their personal use--I'm sure an extra battle worthy kris or barung or kampilan was always worth having around the house. Whether some of these might have been refurbished at a later time is hard to say.

Ian

Jim McDougall · 20th June 2015, 06:27 PM

Thanks Ian!
My idea was that perhaps some of the auxiliaries or tribal groups might have picked up the concept or maybe even the material from American forces there. Whatever the case, there does seem to be good age to this blade and if it had belonged to a particularly notable warrior may have been held aside as a heirloom. The detail in the profiled tip of the blade I think is really fascinating and wonder what it means.

Jim

carlos · 20th June 2015, 07:30 PM

hello !!
i think is a 19 century kampilan, in Spain is unusual find fake kampilan. The most of them are "souvenirs" from war in the end of 19 century.
I add more pictures.
Thanks all forum members by comments.
best regards

carlos

Battara · 20th June 2015, 08:17 PM

The hair plugs look like Hey have age and wear to them. I agree that this is late 19th century. It also looks like ther may have been a silver okired plate on both sides of the pommel - I see nail holes in your pictures.

Ian · 20th June 2015, 11:33 PM

Yes, the latest pics would indicate more age to the hilt, as you suggest. A very nice and unusual example.

Ian

20th June 2015, 07:30 PM	#3
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 755	hello !! i think is a 19 century kampilan, in Spain is unusual find fake kampilan. The most of them are "souvenirs" from war in the end of 19 century. I add more pictures. Thanks all forum members by comments. best regards carlos Attached Images

20th June 2015, 05:08 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,481	Hi Jim: I have found an occasional bring back of a US serviceman to have been treated with cosmoline or even varnished to prevent rust. These were mainly early 20th C items or immediately after WWII. I doubt that the Moros would have used that technique to preserve and then rehabilitate old blades. Not heard of them doing that. Basically, old weapons that were no longer serviceable would be recycled into newly forged weapons or other useful items. Some datus might have been in the habit of stockpiling weapons to arm their warriors in times of warfare, but individual Moro warriors usually carried their own weapons. Captured weapons might well have been stockpiled or handed out to the victors for their personal use--I'm sure an extra battle worthy kris or barung or kampilan was always worth having around the house. Whether some of these might have been refurbished at a later time is hard to say. Ian

20th June 2015, 06:27 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,616	Thanks Ian! My idea was that perhaps some of the auxiliaries or tribal groups might have picked up the concept or maybe even the material from American forces there. Whatever the case, there does seem to be good age to this blade and if it had belonged to a particularly notable warrior may have been held aside as a heirloom. The detail in the profiled tip of the blade I think is really fascinating and wonder what it means. Jim

20th June 2015, 08:17 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,339	The hair plugs look like Hey have age and wear to them. I agree that this is late 19th century. It also looks like ther may have been a silver okired plate on both sides of the pommel - I see nail holes in your pictures.

20th June 2015, 11:33 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,481	Yes, the latest pics would indicate more age to the hilt, as you suggest. A very nice and unusual example. Ian