Dagger for id and suggestions for care

imas560 · 15th November 2013, 06:24 AM

Hello all,
a dagger has arrived and I was wondering if I could get an ID on type of blade, origin and age. Also there is script on the blade so was wondering before I got out the 0000 steel wool and oil if any precautions or alternative care should be taken?
Overall length approx 1 foot/30 cm.
I thought Moro Punal/Gunong but the handle I'm not sure about.
thanks

David · 15th November 2013, 03:43 PM

Well, i'd call it a gunong, but the handle looks more like a badik or something. Could have been added latter or might be original.
What i am more interested in is the engraved script. Your photos don't really help. Can you read it?
I seriously doubt that 0000 steel wool and some WD-40 will do any damage to the engraving.

Battara · 16th November 2013, 04:35 AM

I wonder if this is Visayan. The blade may have been Moro but the hilt and script I wonder may be Visayan.

Robert · 16th November 2013, 05:51 AM

I do not know if this will help or not but here is the writing on the blade. I hope I have it right side up.

imas560 · 16th November 2013, 11:37 AM

thanks for the feedback. I am trying to figure out how to bring the script up without touching the blade.
If I may ask, how did you make the script clearer Robert?
thanks

Robert · 16th November 2013, 05:31 PM

Code:

If I may ask, how did you make the script clearer Robert?

I used Photo Editor.

Robert

Battara · 16th November 2013, 09:59 PM

Although I can't really make out the script, it does look like Spanish to me, thus suggesting Visayan ownership. This also suggests that it comes from the turn if the century at the latest.

Perhaps a pencil rubbing can bring out the words.

Robert · 17th November 2013, 12:57 AM

This is the best that I can do to bring out the writing without a better photo to work from.

imas560 · 17th November 2013, 02:04 AM

Hello all,
thanks for helping with the script.
I've taken a few more photos but they're not the best.
I'll get on to the steel wool and oil soon.
Hopefully it will yield better results.
thanks again

Robert · 17th November 2013, 02:24 AM

I'm with Jose, I believe that a pencil rubbing would more than likely produce the best results.

imas560 · 17th November 2013, 05:04 AM

apologies, I missed that bit. I'll give the pencil rubbing a go

imas560 · 17th November 2013, 06:02 AM

Managed to get possibly better photos from the blade side with the most legible script.
Thanks for looking at for me

Robert · 17th November 2013, 07:21 AM

Here goes.

imas560 · 17th November 2013, 07:28 AM

thanks Robert

15th November 2013, 06:24 AM	#1
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	Dagger for id and suggestions for care Hello all, a dagger has arrived and I was wondering if I could get an ID on type of blade, origin and age. Also there is script on the blade so was wondering before I got out the 0000 steel wool and oil if any precautions or alternative care should be taken? Overall length approx 1 foot/30 cm. I thought Moro Punal/Gunong but the handle I'm not sure about. thanks Attached Images

16th November 2013, 05:51 AM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I do not know if this will help or not but here is the writing on the blade. I hope I have it right side up. Attached Images

16th November 2013, 05:31 PM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Code: If I may ask, how did you make the script clearer Robert? I used Photo Editor. Robert

17th November 2013, 12:57 AM	#8
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	This is the best that I can do to bring out the writing without a better photo to work from. Attached Images

17th November 2013, 02:04 AM	#9
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	Hello all, thanks for helping with the script. I've taken a few more photos but they're not the best. I'll get on to the steel wool and oil soon. Hopefully it will yield better results. thanks again Attached Images

15th November 2013, 03:43 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,113	Well, i'd call it a gunong, but the handle looks more like a badik or something. Could have been added latter or might be original. What i am more interested in is the engraved script. Your photos don't really help. Can you read it? I seriously doubt that 0000 steel wool and some WD-40 will do any damage to the engraving.

16th November 2013, 04:35 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	I wonder if this is Visayan. The blade may have been Moro but the hilt and script I wonder may be Visayan.

16th November 2013, 11:37 AM	#5
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	thanks for the feedback. I am trying to figure out how to bring the script up without touching the blade. If I may ask, how did you make the script clearer Robert? thanks

16th November 2013, 09:59 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	Although I can't really make out the script, it does look like Spanish to me, thus suggesting Visayan ownership. This also suggests that it comes from the turn if the century at the latest. Perhaps a pencil rubbing can bring out the words.

17th November 2013, 02:24 AM	#10
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I'm with Jose, I believe that a pencil rubbing would more than likely produce the best results.

17th November 2013, 05:04 AM	#11
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	apologies, I missed that bit. I'll give the pencil rubbing a go

17th November 2013, 06:02 AM	#12
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	Managed to get possibly better photos from the blade side with the most legible script. Thanks for looking at for me Attached Images

17th November 2013, 07:21 AM	#13
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Here goes. Attached Images

17th November 2013, 07:28 AM	#14
imas560 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 180	thanks Robert