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#1 |
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 9
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Question. How did you know that these are pro Spanish pieces? Did they follow a certain pattern? It just doesn't make sense for them to deviate from existing patters or styles common that would identify them to be part of a secret organization. Lastly, where did you get your info?
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#2 | |
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Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 670
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1. Facts mentioned in at least 3 books 2. Extensive research 3. Mentorship by PH blade experts 4. Analysis of available samples, especially those with marked provenance |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 40
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I olso respectfully disagree. I know you will not share your sources and it is understandable. But on the opposite sideI have samples and have seen katipunan themed swords (like the fist and sun themed) have both s and d guards. I comes really who can afford or what style they want. I think to say that katipunan did not employ d guards is assuming they did not have money and of pure peasant stock which I beg to differ. They had different statuses in life (eg aguinaldo and bonifacio)Bonifacio. Attached pics are of common folks and one of the basi revolt. As you can see they seem to carry dguard matulis and bolos. As for me it would be more practical for me to have some kind of hand protection I one can afford for his weapon.
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#4 | |
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Join Date: Oct 2018
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2. If you'll check actual period pictures- studio ones, especially- you'll notice that the only ones with legit "Katipunan" blades- notably daggers with the sun etc symbol- are ranked officers, notably those who came from principalia class. Now take into account that many of the First Republic officers are defectors who used to be allied with the Spanish side. Even in First Republic era pics, what's being carried by foot soldiers aren't S- or D-guards, but rather guard-less or simple-guard fighting bolos. 3. In contrast, there are actual period photos of S- or D-guard bolos among the Spanish forces- particularly among their civilian-military faction, of whose ranked officers are from the Spanish-Filipino (mestizo, etc) families. Based on evidence alone, it's logical to assume that it's the Spanish side that wore these S- and D-guard bolos as standard-issue. 4. I don't think having hand protection is necessary in a battlefield situation, from the Filipinos' point of view. They were being worsted by the gun- and artillery- equipped Spaniards, then later on, the Americans. Hence it's impractical to issue D- and S-guard bolos to their foot soldiers. 5. I don't know how many times various historians mentioned how underequipped the 1896 Katipunan rebels were with regard to equipment. In fact foot soldiers had to resort to sharpened wooden spears. There was even a direct order by either Bonifacio or Aguinaldo for foot soldiers to use sharpened stakes instead if they didn't have bolos. This is a clear indicator that the Katipunan was not as rich as you perceive it to be. |
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#5 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
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algrennathan and bathala,
Your points are well taken, and I think xasterix has answered to the best of his ability. I have had the pleasure of corresponding with xas for the last couple of years, and come to know a little of his sources and data collection methods. The opinions he has stated here come from Filipino experts as well as local archives that are inaccessible to those of us outside the Philippines. Some of that material has been presented on these forum pages. On the other hand, many of the local informants insist upon anonymity, and some information cannot be shared (according to traditional customs). Such are the problems of ethnographic research, where "hard data" is often very difficult to find. With regard to the original post of this thread, it is apparent to the seasoned collector of Filipino arms that the sword is not a traditional Filipino pattern. The long tapering blade, perhaps resembling a Spanish rapier, was probably made in Manila or a surrounding province by a local blade smith. The D-guard hilt with down-turned quillion is also very much a Spanish style, while the hilt has a little flair to the grip with some inset pieces of what appears to be capiz shell or MOP, suggesting its owner was willing to pay a little more for a stylish sword. This sword would be quite at home being used for a duel in Madrid. It is a single-edged thrusting sword. Such is not the type of sword used by most Filipinos of that era who favored shorter swords with heavier blades. So xasterix's designation of this sword as likely belonging to a Spaniard or perhaps a mestizzo is quite logical. His suggestion is entirely in keeping with the respective cultures of that period. Is that conclusive proof? Certainly not, but it is the considered opinion of a local person who has done a lot of research on Filipino weapons and used many of the tools employed in academic ethnographic research (consideration of archival literature, use of local informants, personal research of local sites, etc.). Lastly, one should consider also other Spanish colonies and how Spanish style swords developed in Mexico. The group of swords referred to as espada ancha were again locally made swords based on Spanish patterns and used primarily by local Spaniards and mestizzos. Last edited by Ian; 5th April 2022 at 12:52 PM. Reason: Spelling |
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#6 | |
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#7 | |
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#8 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
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For those unfamiliar with Spanish colonial social systems, here is what I have gleaned from my travels to the Philippines and readings of the country's history under Spanish rule. Please correct any errors.
The caste system in the Philippines under Spanish rule From highest to lowest social standing:
Mestizos, having one Spanish parent, were next on the social scale. They were entrusted with lower positions of authority, such as minor Government officials, junior officers and NCOs in the military, adminstrators and clerks in industry, lawyers, teachers, accountants, farming overseers, etc. In this regard, they competed with the less powerful or wealthy Insulares for such positions. Indios were the native indigenous groups, who comprised the substantial majority of the population and had little authority or control over their lives. Not all were poor (although many were). Some were landholders and quite wealthy. Some managed to get an education but most did not. Relatively few achieved positions of influence or authority. Principalia (pl. Principales) were Indios who came from the old elite ruling class and nobility that pre-dated Spanish colonization, and they filled positions as mayors of towns and local chiefs of the barrios (barangay). Last edited by Ian; 6th April 2022 at 01:38 PM. Reason: Corrected the description of principalia |
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#9 |
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 9
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Care to share your sources? It's just that it makes no sense to utilize a design that would easily identify them to be part of a subversive organization. I would understand for pieces that's from 1898 onwards since independence was already declared and by then the colonial government has already weakened greatly that they have little control on certain areas. Lastly, what was the basis of your research? Lastly, mentorship by blade experts doesn't seem to back it up since we don't know who these guys are. Are they learned individuals with credible background in this field? Hey, I can ask numerous town drunkards on blades and I can claim that I've been mentored by veteran researchers. Not being a troll here, it's just that it's kinda like you're giving us meat to eat without actually cooking it.
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