Mystery knife

Sajen · 14th November 2017, 06:42 PM

Nice pair! Good to have two of them in different execution, congrats!

Robert · 31st January 2018, 01:38 AM

I thought that I would post yet another interesting variation of these rather unusual and seemingly rare swords for comparison. This piece has a tang that extends completely through the same style of hilt that can be seen on the one identified as a "katana" seen on the page from "The Philippine Journal Of Science Volume 81 - The Pinatubo Negritos" that is also posted below. The only serious damage to this looks to be the hilt being split either by age shrinkage to the horn or possibly rust build-up on the tang itself. As I just won this piece the photos that are shown of this are those from the auction. I am hoping that after it has arrived that I might be able to identify what the stampings on the blade read.

Best,
Robert

Ian · 31st January 2018, 03:28 PM

Thanks Robert. Another interesting example of these hard to find knives. We can find the same style of hilt among the Ilokano repertoire also, and I suspect the the Aeta/Negrito may have purchased/traded/copied them from local smiths and craftsmen.

According to the information provided by Miguel Diaz some time ago, this hilt would be called a linipit in the Ilokano dialect. It's also possible that the hilt may be of Tagalog origin as Pampanga is immediately adjacent to the Tagolog area around Manila.

Ian.

31st January 2018, 01:38 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I thought that I would post yet another interesting variation of these rather unusual and seemingly rare swords for comparison. This piece has a tang that extends completely through the same style of hilt that can be seen on the one identified as a "katana" seen on the page from "The Philippine Journal Of Science Volume 81 - The Pinatubo Negritos" that is also posted below. The only serious damage to this looks to be the hilt being split either by age shrinkage to the horn or possibly rust build-up on the tang itself. As I just won this piece the photos that are shown of this are those from the auction. I am hoping that after it has arrived that I might be able to identify what the stampings on the blade read. Best, Robert Attached Images

31st January 2018, 03:28 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Thanks Robert. Another interesting example of these hard to find knives. We can find the same style of hilt among the Ilokano repertoire also, and I suspect the the Aeta/Negrito may have purchased/traded/copied them from local smiths and craftsmen. According to the information provided by Miguel Diaz some time ago, this hilt would be called a linipit in the Ilokano dialect. It's also possible that the hilt may be of Tagalog origin as Pampanga is immediately adjacent to the Tagolog area around Manila. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 31st January 2018 at 04:44 PM.

14th November 2017, 06:42 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,272	Nice pair! Good to have two of them in different execution, congrats!