Hand made sword, wondering about origin

Ken Maddock · 31st July 2015, 11:14 PM

Sorry one more image showing peening

Battara · 1st August 2015, 06:25 PM

This looks like it is a Filipino piece from around the beginning of the 20th century, from Luzon Island in the Philippines (showing the Spanish influence). May be even from the Tagalogs on Luzon.

Ian · 1st August 2015, 07:57 PM

Jose:

Those were my thoughts too when I first looked at the pics. Spanish-influenced hilt, probably Filipino in origin. Perhaps further pics will define the origins better.

Ian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

This looks like it is a Filipino piece from around the beginning of the 20th century, from Luzon Island in the Philippines (showing the Spanish influence). May be even from the Tagalogs on Luzon.

Jim McDougall · 1st August 2015, 08:12 PM

I am with the others in considering possible Philippine origin for this item.
For me the knuckleguard with strap over pommel corresponds to many of the Spanish colonial forms deriving from espada ancha and evolved into Philippine versions. The crude nature of course suggests typical colonial ersatz type weapons, and the blade reminds me of the 'talibon' types from the Phiippines (though my exposure to these weapons is admittedly limited).

While it is tempting to link this to events such as the Irish Rebellion noted in 1798 based on the context in which it was found, these other possibilities should be considered as well. This rebellion was most certainly the source for any number of weapons from tools and implements to any number of ersatz fashioned arms, it would take other similar and provenanced examples to support the attribution.

The link to the bronze age sword said to have been used by one of these Irish men in this rebellion is sensational and intriguing, and well illustrates the often desperate innovation which would be employed during such intense events.

Sajen · 1st August 2015, 10:25 PM

Luzon is a good guess, I've seen many similar ones from there but most of the time the hilts have been from horn.

Rick · 1st August 2015, 10:46 PM

Since this is listed in two forums :

I'm not entirely convinced this is Philippine; any more back story on this piece Ken ?
Purchased in Ireland ?
I can't recall seeing a Philippine sword with a guard constructed the way this one is; usually they are one sheet/piece of metal .
This one is not .
The cross section of the blade is different from Philippine ones of this type also (if I'm understanding your description of it correctly) .

Ken Maddock · 2nd August 2015, 08:33 PM

Hi
I was away for a few days sorry about the delay in reply.
There is no further story
I bought it off a guy who regularly gives me a call and i am always surprised by the great items he turns up, i got a full inventory of IRA grenades and ammunition loading equipment from the 1920's off him and it was fasinating.
Simple story was that it was built into the dry stone wall of a house being renovated in rural ireland, house was v old, and that is all i know
I can take any pictures required
Hard to describe blade so i will put up a few pictures tomorrow when i get a chance to take some pictures
I googled Philippine Luzon sword and I see where you are coming from in the similarities, it is a fairily generic shape alright, hopefully images of the blade cross section may help more in the identification
Regards and thank you all for your interest and comments

Ken

31st July 2015, 11:14 PM	#1
Ken Maddock Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ireland Posts: 104	Sorry one more image showing peening Attached Images

2nd August 2015, 08:33 PM	#7
Ken Maddock Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ireland Posts: 104	Hi I was away for a few days sorry about the delay in reply. There is no further story I bought it off a guy who regularly gives me a call and i am always surprised by the great items he turns up, i got a full inventory of IRA grenades and ammunition loading equipment from the 1920's off him and it was fasinating. Simple story was that it was built into the dry stone wall of a house being renovated in rural ireland, house was v old, and that is all i know I can take any pictures required Hard to describe blade so i will put up a few pictures tomorrow when i get a chance to take some pictures I googled Philippine Luzon sword and I see where you are coming from in the similarities, it is a fairily generic shape alright, hopefully images of the blade cross section may help more in the identification Regards and thank you all for your interest and comments Ken Last edited by Ken Maddock; 2nd August 2015 at 08:57 PM.

1st August 2015, 06:25 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	This looks like it is a Filipino piece from around the beginning of the 20th century, from Luzon Island in the Philippines (showing the Spanish influence). May be even from the Tagalogs on Luzon.

1st August 2015, 08:12 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	I am with the others in considering possible Philippine origin for this item. For me the knuckleguard with strap over pommel corresponds to many of the Spanish colonial forms deriving from espada ancha and evolved into Philippine versions. The crude nature of course suggests typical colonial ersatz type weapons, and the blade reminds me of the 'talibon' types from the Phiippines (though my exposure to these weapons is admittedly limited). While it is tempting to link this to events such as the Irish Rebellion noted in 1798 based on the context in which it was found, these other possibilities should be considered as well. This rebellion was most certainly the source for any number of weapons from tools and implements to any number of ersatz fashioned arms, it would take other similar and provenanced examples to support the attribution. The link to the bronze age sword said to have been used by one of these Irish men in this rebellion is sensational and intriguing, and well illustrates the often desperate innovation which would be employed during such intense events.

1st August 2015, 10:25 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Luzon is a good guess, I've seen many similar ones from there but most of the time the hilts have been from horn.

1st August 2015, 10:46 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Since this is listed in two forums : I'm not entirely convinced this is Philippine; any more back story on this piece Ken ? Purchased in Ireland ? I can't recall seeing a Philippine sword with a guard constructed the way this one is; usually they are one sheet/piece of metal . This one is not . The cross section of the blade is different from Philippine ones of this type also (if I'm understanding your description of it correctly) .