Filipino long sword info requested

AHite · 16th February 2025, 02:51 AM

I recently acquired this long sword at a military show. Supposedly a bring back from the Philippines. I believe it came from the Luzon region, with the leather scabbard. The hilt and guard are somewhat European in style. The handle grip is hardwood, with brass on each end. The guard is formed from iron. The blade measures 23 inches (58.43 cm) in length, and overall length is 27-1/2" (69.85 cm). The blade is fairly heavy with a thick spine.

I am wondering what the age of this sword is. Could it be from the Spanish-American War or Philippine Insurrection era? Thanks for any information!

Andrew

Sajen · 16th February 2025, 12:56 PM

Beautiful sword! And yes, I would agree, Central Luzon. Age guesses from me mid. to end of the 19th century, so it could have been used to the time of the Spanish-American war or also at the Insurrection era IMVHO.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 17th February 2025, 02:12 AM

I also think it is from the late part of the Spanish Colonial period or shortly after. Nice sword.

AHite · 18th February 2025, 07:19 PM

Thanks for the feedback on my sword!

RobT · 20th February 2025, 09:54 PM

AHite,

Very nice sword you have there. Is the tang threaded into a nut or peened over?

Sincerely,
RobT

AHite · 22nd February 2025, 09:19 PM

The tang is peened over.

RobT · 23rd February 2025, 12:06 AM

AHite,

I have a Philippine sword with a very similar hilt and guard (the blade is completely different though). Because of the hilt and guard similarity, I was wondering if there may have been a roughly standardized insurrection hilt form carried by the fighters of a particular resistance organization. Since my tang is threaded into a nut and yours isn't, I doubt that they represent a type.

Sincerely,
RobT

Ian · 23rd February 2025, 05:06 PM

Xasterix and fellow Filipinos are best suited to answer the question posed by Rob. However, I have a couple of general comments based on my own experience and discussion with knowledgeable individuals that may be useful.

Blades, hilts, and scabbards are each made by different individuals. There are distinct, and sometimes very similar, styles of each that can be found between major areas of production within Luzon. Locally made swords of the revolutionary period used by Filipinos often had blades, hilts, and scabbards from the same general area of production. Locally made swords for native militia groups and Spanish led forces seemed to have some standard patterns. Although some regional local differences in manufacture can be seen in the swords of these "official" groups under Spanish control, the knives and swords appear to have been of several fairly standard types. For example, the clipped bolo sometimes called a tabak. The ginunting is a more recent standard form used by Filipino military groups..

The OP in this thread may be one of those, or it may have been privately owned. Its hilt suggests a military style with a wooden grip flanked by two ferrules and a D-guard, and seen in Spanish militia units made up of Filipinos. This hilt style can be found in more general use as well.

AFAIK there were very few Standard Patterns for Spanish and Colonial Filipino units under colonial rule. I hope those with more knowledge will chime in on this question.

It is my understanding that there was even less standardization among the revolutionaries.

16th February 2025, 02:51 AM	#1
AHite Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 55	Filipino long sword info requested I recently acquired this long sword at a military show. Supposedly a bring back from the Philippines. I believe it came from the Luzon region, with the leather scabbard. The hilt and guard are somewhat European in style. The handle grip is hardwood, with brass on each end. The guard is formed from iron. The blade measures 23 inches (58.43 cm) in length, and overall length is 27-1/2" (69.85 cm). The blade is fairly heavy with a thick spine. I am wondering what the age of this sword is. Could it be from the Spanish-American War or Philippine Insurrection era? Thanks for any information! Andrew Attached Images

20th February 2025, 09:54 PM	#5
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 523	Tang Question AHite, Very nice sword you have there. Is the tang threaded into a nut or peened over? Sincerely, RobT

23rd February 2025, 12:06 AM	#7
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 523	Thanks Anyway AHite, I have a Philippine sword with a very similar hilt and guard (the blade is completely different though). Because of the hilt and guard similarity, I was wondering if there may have been a roughly standardized insurrection hilt form carried by the fighters of a particular resistance organization. Since my tang is threaded into a nut and yours isn't, I doubt that they represent a type. Sincerely, RobT

16th February 2025, 12:56 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,123	Beautiful sword! And yes, I would agree, Central Luzon. Age guesses from me mid. to end of the 19th century, so it could have been used to the time of the Spanish-American war or also at the Insurrection era IMVHO. Regards, Detlef

17th February 2025, 02:12 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,330	I also think it is from the late part of the Spanish Colonial period or shortly after. Nice sword.

18th February 2025, 07:19 PM	#4
AHite Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 55	Thanks for the feedback on my sword!

22nd February 2025, 09:19 PM	#6
AHite Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 55	The tang is peened over.

23rd February 2025, 05:06 PM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,330	Xasterix and fellow Filipinos are best suited to answer the question posed by Rob. However, I have a couple of general comments based on my own experience and discussion with knowledgeable individuals that may be useful. Blades, hilts, and scabbards are each made by different individuals. There are distinct, and sometimes very similar, styles of each that can be found between major areas of production within Luzon. Locally made swords of the revolutionary period used by Filipinos often had blades, hilts, and scabbards from the same general area of production. Locally made swords for native militia groups and Spanish led forces seemed to have some standard patterns. Although some regional local differences in manufacture can be seen in the swords of these "official" groups under Spanish control, the knives and swords appear to have been of several fairly standard types. For example, the clipped bolo sometimes called a tabak. The ginunting is a more recent standard form used by Filipino military groups.. The OP in this thread may be one of those, or it may have been privately owned. Its hilt suggests a military style with a wooden grip flanked by two ferrules and a D-guard, and seen in Spanish militia units made up of Filipinos. This hilt style can be found in more general use as well. AFAIK there were very few Standard Patterns for Spanish and Colonial Filipino units under colonial rule. I hope those with more knowledge will chime in on this question. It is my understanding that there was even less standardization among the revolutionaries.