British India, US English bowie??? can you identify

phil.reid · 17th August 2023, 12:12 PM

More flea market purchases, thinking its a british india victorian bowie but dont know, blade steels very nice, flat one side while others angke cut to give a very keen edge, back edge is thick and cut in shallow way style, hexagonal wood handle with brass pommel, simple leather sheath
Someone will hopefully pick design.

mariusgmioc · 17th August 2023, 02:47 PM

It doesn't look neither English, nor American to me. Different style.
Maybe Indian.

carlos · 17th August 2023, 09:04 PM

My first impression was Philippine...

milandro · 17th August 2023, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlos

My first impression was Philippine...

indeed , that hilt , I think, says a lot. I think this knife fits in the " negrito" tradition

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22318

David R · 17th August 2023, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlos

My first impression was Philippine...

Same here.

RobT · 18th August 2023, 12:07 AM

Hi All,

The first thing that came up when I was scrolling down was the hilt and I immediately said "Philippines". I have read that this hilt style (ferrule smaller than the hilt coupled with a bulge in the hilt by the ferrule) is favored in Batangas.

Sincerely,
RobT

Sajen · 18th August 2023, 01:11 PM

Agree, it's a Philippine dagger, most probably from Batangas! Nice piece!

Would guess WWII area.

Sajen · 18th August 2023, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil.reid

, hexagonal wood handle with brass pommel, simple leather sheath

Handle looks like horn to my eyes!

Scabbard is another sign for a Phillipine origin.

RobT · 18th August 2023, 09:58 PM

Hi All,

The knife could be from WWII but, given the piercing and carving at the base of the blade, the carving on the clip point, the ricasso, and the single bevel, I think that it could be just post the Spanish/American war. When taken together, the aforementioned features appear to be geared more to a native Philippine aesthetic than for US servicemen tastes. Not that there is anything wrong with them (I have a good number), but this knife just doesn't look like the typical Ilocano WWII bing back souvenir bowie. I forgot to say when I first responded to this post but the blade, hilt, and sheath are all really nice. Well done Phil.reid. Where exactly did you say your flea market is located?

Sincerely,
RobT

wildwolberine · 19th August 2023, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobT

I forgot to say when I first responded to this post but the blade, hilt, and sheath are all really nice. Well done Phil.reid. Where exactly did you say your flea market is located?

Agreed, beautiful knife!

phil.reid · 19th August 2023, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobT

Hi All,

The knife could be from WWII but, given the piercing and carving at the base of the blade, the carving on the clip point, the ricasso, and the single bevel, I think that it could be just post the Spanish/American war. When taken together, the aforementioned features appear to be geared more to a native Philippine aesthetic than for US servicemen tastes. Not that there is anything wrong with them (I have a good number), but this knife just doesn't look like the typical Ilocano WWII bing back souvenir bowie. I forgot to say when I first responded to this post but the blade, hilt, and sheath are all really nice. Well done Phil.reid. Where exactly did you say your flea market is located?

Sincerely,
RobT

Blades beautiful quality and remined me of some of the British india bowies ive owned, the back scalloped edge reminded me of some early US blades. Im keeping stum about my flea market but Australia has an amazing array of collections.

phil.reid · 19th August 2023, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildwolberine

Agreed, beautiful knife!

Lovel ndeed, photos dont do justice to how nice the knife is.

Sajen · 19th August 2023, 12:08 PM

Just to clarify, it's a beautiful blade. WWII period doesn't mean that it's one of the typical bring backs from this time, by far a different quality.

Ian · 20th August 2023, 12:24 AM

Hi Phil,

Another great find. I agree that this is from the Philippines, and with the reasoning that this knife may well be from the late 19th or early 20th C based on its style and quality. I do see a strong Spanish influence with its pierced ricasso. Whether it is from the Batangas/Lake Taal area or a little further north is open to debate, but that's a fine point of detail.

17th August 2023, 12:12 PM	#1
phil.reid Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 60	British India, US English bowie??? can you identify More flea market purchases, thinking its a british india victorian bowie but dont know, blade steels very nice, flat one side while others angke cut to give a very keen edge, back edge is thick and cut in shallow way style, hexagonal wood handle with brass pommel, simple leather sheath Someone will hopefully pick design. Attached Images

18th August 2023, 12:07 AM	#6
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 487	Batangas Hi All, The first thing that came up when I was scrolling down was the hilt and I immediately said "Philippines". I have read that this hilt style (ferrule smaller than the hilt coupled with a bulge in the hilt by the ferrule) is favored in Batangas. Sincerely, RobT Last edited by RobT; 18th August 2023 at 12:09 AM. Reason: clarity

18th August 2023, 09:58 PM	#9
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 487	Could be Before WWII Hi All, The knife could be from WWII but, given the piercing and carving at the base of the blade, the carving on the clip point, the ricasso, and the single bevel, I think that it could be just post the Spanish/American war. When taken together, the aforementioned features appear to be geared more to a native Philippine aesthetic than for US servicemen tastes. Not that there is anything wrong with them (I have a good number), but this knife just doesn't look like the typical Ilocano WWII bing back souvenir bowie. I forgot to say when I first responded to this post but the blade, hilt, and sheath are all really nice. Well done Phil.reid. Where exactly did you say your flea market is located? Sincerely, RobT

17th August 2023, 02:47 PM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	It doesn't look neither English, nor American to me. Different style. Maybe Indian.

17th August 2023, 09:04 PM	#3
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 737	My first impression was Philippine...

18th August 2023, 01:11 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,769	Agree, it's a Philippine dagger, most probably from Batangas! Nice piece! Would guess WWII area.

19th August 2023, 12:08 PM	#13
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,769	Just to clarify, it's a beautiful blade. WWII period doesn't mean that it's one of the typical bring backs from this time, by far a different quality.

20th August 2023, 12:24 AM	#14
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,197	Hi Phil, Another great find. I agree that this is from the Philippines, and with the reasoning that this knife may well be from the late 19th or early 20th C based on its style and quality. I do see a strong Spanish influence with its pierced ricasso. Whether it is from the Batangas/Lake Taal area or a little further north is open to debate, but that's a fine point of detail.