Mystery knife

Battara · 17th December 2016, 03:48 AM

The scabbard and even the blade to a lesser degree looks a little Bicolano to me.

You are right, a rare version. Does the tang go through the hilt?

Ian · 17th December 2016, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

The scabbard and even the blade to a lesser degree looks a little Bicolano to me.

You are right, a rare version. Does the tang go through the hilt?

Jose, it is a blind tang construction.

Ian

Battara · 19th December 2016, 12:28 AM

I could still be Bicolano since they are right next to the Visayas.

Robert · 20th December 2016, 07:39 AM

Hello Ian, I believe that this bolo with its blade and odd hilt and ferrule style is from Negrito and if I remember correctly is called a "hundang". Somewhere locked up on my old computer I have a photo that I believe shows this type of bolo, I just hope that at some point I posted it here on the forum and can find it again to post here. I will do a search and see what I can find.

Best,
Robert

Found it. Even though there is a slight difference in the shape of the hilt I believe that your bolo looks very similar to the one listed as No 4 on Plate 9 in this photo.

Ian · 21st December 2016, 12:06 AM

Robert:

Thank you.

This makes sense. The knife was among articles found in an old GIs possessions. The Pinatubo Negrito were located very near the Clark Air Force Base on Luzon, so it would not be surprising to find such a bolo being brought back by a U.S. serviceman.

I remember you posting this picture before, and I have tried to find the original reference but unfortunately my library cannot locate that particular number of the original journal.

Ian.

Battara · 21st December 2016, 02:16 AM

A good catch Robert. Would you post the source of this article?

I do however question the "katana" term.........

Rafngard · 21st December 2016, 05:55 AM

I'm not sure how relevant it is, but the overall shape reminds me quite a bit of a bolo I have from Apalit, in particular, the small ferrule. If I recall correctly, I think Apalit is also near Clark Air Force Base.

Thanks,
Leif

David R · 21st December 2016, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

A good catch Robert. Would you post the source of this article?

I do however question the "katana" term.........

A lot of Japanese Christians emigrated to the Philippines after their religion was proscribed in the 17th Century, and so katana could easily be a "loan word".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japane...he_Philippines

20th December 2016, 07:39 AM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Ian, I believe that this bolo with its blade and odd hilt and ferrule style is from Negrito and if I remember correctly is called a "hundang". Somewhere locked up on my old computer I have a photo that I believe shows this type of bolo, I just hope that at some point I posted it here on the forum and can find it again to post here. I will do a search and see what I can find. Best, Robert Found it. Even though there is a slight difference in the shape of the hilt I believe that your bolo looks very similar to the one listed as No 4 on Plate 9 in this photo. Attached Images Last edited by Robert; 20th December 2016 at 08:04 AM.

21st December 2016, 05:55 AM	#7
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 362	I'm not sure how relevant it is, but the overall shape reminds me quite a bit of a bolo I have from Apalit, in particular, the small ferrule. If I recall correctly, I think Apalit is also near Clark Air Force Base. Thanks, Leif Attached Images

17th December 2016, 03:48 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	The scabbard and even the blade to a lesser degree looks a little Bicolano to me. You are right, a rare version. Does the tang go through the hilt?

19th December 2016, 12:28 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	I could still be Bicolano since they are right next to the Visayas.

21st December 2016, 12:06 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,523	Robert: Thank you. This makes sense. The knife was among articles found in an old GIs possessions. The Pinatubo Negrito were located very near the Clark Air Force Base on Luzon, so it would not be surprising to find such a bolo being brought back by a U.S. serviceman. I remember you posting this picture before, and I have tried to find the original reference but unfortunately my library cannot locate that particular number of the original journal. Ian.

21st December 2016, 02:16 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	A good catch Robert. Would you post the source of this article? I do however question the "katana" term.........