Inscribed Filipino-American War souvenir dagger

[Jim F]

Hello Everyone,

As a means of introduction, I am a longtime collector of and full-time dealer in exceptionally fine and advanced quality American Civil War artifacts. That having been said, I've also developed a very keen eye and appreciation for any and all historical material that I may encounter in the course of pursuing said Civil War items. Such was the case with the inscribed Filipino knife that was souvenired at Lipa in Batangas province by Corporal Louis Murphy of Co. D, 21st U.S. Infantry, on March 20th, 1902, which I purchased at an estate sale in Columbus, Ohio.

Though I am familiar, of course, with the Filipino-American War of 1899 - 1913 and the heavy involvement of the 21st U.S. Infantry therein, I knew nothing about this type of dagger at the time of acquisition and hence in the course of my internet research happened upon your website, in particular the below thread posted by a member with the user name "Ferguson" in April of 2009.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?p=81558

Attached are some photographs of the piece. Please understand that I am seeking neither an appraisal nor an evaluation here. I am merely writing for the hope and purpose of sharing the discovery with those who best appreciate it, plus learning in the process the exact period of manufacture and historical background of the dagger, as well as the proper and most accurate nomenclature and terminology in discussing and identifying it.

The descriptive features are as follows:

The dagger within its scabbard measures overall approximately 15 inches long (as the leather of the scabbard has slightly shrunk, I have not forced down the last one-quarter-inch of the blade).

The dagger itself (which is extremely well made and very tight) measures approximately 14.5 inches long, with the blade measuring approximately 9.5 inches from point to hilt. The eight-sided handle is of very dark wood, perhaps ebony or teak, and is fluted asymmetrically and very nicely worn and mellowed. The furniture appears to be of a white metal alloy (save for the octagonal collar, which may be of silver), with one side of the S-shaped cross-guard and the top of the pommel cap bearing incised decorative engraving.

The scabbard itself measures approximately 10.25 inches long and is made of black leather (double-stitched with twine down the center) with embossed tooled designs along the entire length on one side. Condition is very good, other than minor flaking to the finish and some stretched threads at the lower section. The two mounts and the tailpiece, or drag, definitely seem to be crafted of silver and are secured by tiny rivets or brads, only one of which is missing. Engraved upon the center mount is the symbol that one forum member alluded to earlier as being from the flag designed by Aguinaldo - a face within the sun within a triangle anchored by three stars. Upon the top mount is the inscription relating to the American soldier who souvenired the dagger: “Corp./Louis Murphy/Co. D, 21st Inf./Lipa/20 de Marso 1902.” As a specialist and expert authenticator in my field of the nuances of antique dry-point engraving, I find it interesting that the decorative work on the dagger furniture, the engraved flag symbol on the center mount, and the military inscription on the top mount (genuine in all cases and in all respects) were, in my opinion, all done in different hands and undoubtedly at different times.

So, there you have it, gentlemen. Your knowledgeable comments and insights are most welcomed. Thank you so much for your time and attention, as well as the opportunity to present this item.

Jim F.

[Battara]

Welcome to the forum.

I'll start. Definitely a first republic PI dagger. Probably belonged to a Filipino officer. Silver mounts. The date is about right. I would say from the island of Luzon and perhaps Tagalog by the blade profile and shape. Thank you for sharing this piece with us.

[carlos]

Hello Jim!!
Wellcome to the forum!!
This dagger is a very beautiful and very good preserved, I just fall in love!!
If sometime you decide to sell it please tell me !! thanks again for the pictures
best regards
carlos

[Jim F]

Thank you, Battara and Carlos, for your kind responses!

I've since learned a lot about the personal history of Corporal Louis Murphy. He enlisted in Co. D of the 21st U.S. Infantry on March 6, 1899, in Philadelphia, for a three-year term. His enlistment officer was a Lt. Moses. Louis was 22 years, 2 months old, and was described as 5' 4' tall, with grey eyes, black hair, and a dark complexion. His occupation at the time of enlistment was "laborer."

He was discharged at Lipa, P.I. at the expiration of his term of service (March 5, 1902) with the rank of Corporal and immediately re-enlisted at Lipa on the very next day, again for a period of three years. This time his occupation was listed as "soldier". Note that he acquired the dagger just two weeks later.

He remained in Co. D of the 21st U.S. Infantry but later transferred to the 11th Cavalry, Company H, and finally the 12th Cavalry, Company E. He was discharged on March 5, 1905, at Camp McGrath in Batangas, Philippine Islands, with the rank of Sergeant and an "excellent" service record.

In answer to your question about my selling the dagger, Carlos, it is my understanding that the forum rules frown on such bartering topics, and I certainly wish to remain respectful here.

Thanks again,
Jim F.

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]

[Rick]

Hi Jim,
Sorry about that little bit of necessary editing .

You may contact Carlos via PM .

BTW, That's what I call provenance .

[David]

Originally Posted by Rick

BTW, That's what I call provenance .

Indeed!

[Bill M]

Katipunan symbol on scabbard

[Ferguson]

An absolutely stunning piece. Congrats!
Steve

[Dimasalang]

Very nice. I envy you sir.

Adding more to the story and other misc info of Batangas in 1902.
From early to mid 1902, times in the Batangas province was extremely turbulent. While all the generals of the 1st Republic already surrendered by mid to late 1901, the last overall commanding general was Miguel Malvar of Batangas. Once Aguinaldo was captured, Malvar took the reins of the government and the war. So all efforts were now focused on Southern Luzon. The last major stand of the Phil-Am War took place in Batangas, Laguna, and parts of Cavite. Malvars base was Mt Makiling which is situated between Batangas and Laguna. Gen Bell was given the command of operations in Southern Luzon, and Lipa Batangas was set up as the main headquarters of the American forces. The 21st Inf played a major roll in fighting Malvars force during this time. I say turbulent times during the first half of 1902 because Bell became so frustrated with Malvar and his forces near the end of 1901, he enacted the plan to use "scorched earth" tactics at the beginning of 1902. Specific towns were targeted in Batangas, Laguna, Tayabas, and Cavite; the right of writ of habeas corpus was suspended, all farming was halted and farm land destroyed(which fed the resistance and civilians), and the civilians and family members of the resistance were rounded up and put in to concentration camps(known as Zonas). This put a major strain on both the resistance and the civilians, all the while spreading of disease and wiping out a lot of the population. These tactics worked, and from Jan to mid 1902 all of Malvars forces came steamrolling in to surrender. Obviously this dagger being of an officer who surrendered, or possibly captured or killed during this time. Gen Malvar surrendered directly to Gen Bell in April 1902 in Lipa Batangas...he stated his surrender was mainly due to the hardship of civilians. Malvars surrender ended the last major conflict, and Pres Roosevelt officially ended the Phil-Am War on July 4th 1902.

[Jim F]

A superb presentation, Dimasalang. You have truly enhanced the background of this dagger and brought history to life. Thanks so much for taking the time to do so for all of us.

Jim

[Dimasalang]

Originally Posted by Jim F

A superb presentation, Dimasalang. You have truly enhanced the background of this dagger and brought history to life. Thanks so much for taking the time to do so for all of us.

Jim

Thanks Jim, Im glad I could add to your piece in some way. My family roots stem directly from Batangas, so it is a personal hobby of mine to dig and learn about the history of my families province.
And thank you very much for sharing this outstanding piece with us! Many of these pieces are now in private collections, and with out sharing them, we the enthusiasts have no way of enjoying them or even knowing they exist!