Small Philippine Dagger

Robert · 5th October 2005, 09:50 PM

My latest, a small "Spanish Colonial"? Philippine dagger.

Total length 11-1/2 inches
Hilt length 4-7/8 inches
Blade length 6-5/8 inches
Blade at thickest 5/16 inch
Blade at widest 1-1/4 inches
All fittings are brass.

The grip is horn with a spiral groove cut into it that is lined with a channel shaped brass strip. By the way the channel is secured into the groove at each end ( by a small nail) I also believe there might have been a twisted wire set into the channel at one time that is now missing.

As usual, all comments on this piece are welcome.

Robert

Ferguson · 6th October 2005, 03:34 AM

Hi Robert,
I can't really tell you much about yours. I have a single edged knife with a similar hilt. Supposedly the brass in the channels was to look similar to a sword hilt. Here's mine.

Steve Ferguson

Robert · 6th October 2005, 05:43 AM

Hi Ferguson,
At the ends of the brass channels on your knife how is the brass held in place? On this dagger there is a flat headed nail with the head being flush with the outer surface of the horn grip which leaves about 1/32 or a little more of the nail shank exposed. The nail head is not small enough to be driven down into the channel and there is enough room for a wire to easily go around the exposed nail shank. That is why I think at one time there might have been twisted white metal or coin silver wire in the channel and the nails held it and the brass both in place. I wish I had the sheath for mine like you have for yours.

What are the dimensions of your knife?

VANDOO · 6th October 2005, 06:12 AM

I HAVE A DAGGER JUST LIKE THAT AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE I PICKED IT UP AROUND 1965. I WILL SEE IF I CAN DIG IT OUT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY WIRE IN THE HANDLE OR A SHEITH. I HAVEN'T SEEN MANY OVER THE YEARS SO I WOULD GUESS THEY ARE UNCOMMON. INTERESTING BLADE AS IT IS MADE TO LOOK ALMOST LIKE A SPEAR BLADE.

Battara · 6th October 2005, 08:29 AM

I have a similar hilted katipunan bolo and the nail keeps the twisted brass wire in the handle also, at both ends.

Ferguson · 6th October 2005, 11:27 AM

Mine has a hole about the width of the groove at the end of each channel. A dowel made of horn or wood holds the brass strip in. I'll post dimensions tonight.

Steve

Robert · 7th October 2005, 07:15 PM

Vandoo and Battara, could you post pictures and dimensions of the examples that you have? Would anyone like to make a call on whether or not this piece is Spanish Colonial? Thanks to everyone for your replies.

Robert

Ferguson · 9th October 2005, 12:26 AM

Dimensions on mine:
14" overall
8 1/2" blade length
1 5/8" blade width
Blade thickness .240" at guard

Pic of the hilt showing the horn pin that holds the brass in.

Steve

5th October 2005, 09:50 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Small Philippine Dagger My latest, a small "Spanish Colonial"? Philippine dagger. Total length 11-1/2 inches Hilt length 4-7/8 inches Blade length 6-5/8 inches Blade at thickest 5/16 inch Blade at widest 1-1/4 inches All fittings are brass. The grip is horn with a spiral groove cut into it that is lined with a channel shaped brass strip. By the way the channel is secured into the groove at each end ( by a small nail) I also believe there might have been a twisted wire set into the channel at one time that is now missing. As usual, all comments on this piece are welcome. Robert Attached Images Last edited by Robert Coleman; 5th October 2005 at 11:22 PM.

6th October 2005, 03:34 AM	#2
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Hi Robert, I can't really tell you much about yours. I have a single edged knife with a similar hilt. Supposedly the brass in the channels was to look similar to a sword hilt. Here's mine. Steve Ferguson Attached Images

7th October 2005, 07:15 PM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Vandoo and Battara, could you post pictures and dimensions of the examples that you have? Would anyone like to make a call on whether or not this piece is Spanish Colonial? Thanks to everyone for your replies. Robert Last edited by Robert Coleman; 7th October 2005 at 09:41 PM.

9th October 2005, 12:26 AM	#8
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Dimensions on mine: 14" overall 8 1/2" blade length 1 5/8" blade width Blade thickness .240" at guard Pic of the hilt showing the horn pin that holds the brass in. Steve Attached Images

6th October 2005, 05:43 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hi Ferguson, At the ends of the brass channels on your knife how is the brass held in place? On this dagger there is a flat headed nail with the head being flush with the outer surface of the horn grip which leaves about 1/32 or a little more of the nail shank exposed. The nail head is not small enough to be driven down into the channel and there is enough room for a wire to easily go around the exposed nail shank. That is why I think at one time there might have been twisted white metal or coin silver wire in the channel and the nails held it and the brass both in place. I wish I had the sheath for mine like you have for yours. What are the dimensions of your knife?

6th October 2005, 06:12 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I HAVE A DAGGER JUST LIKE THAT AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE I PICKED IT UP AROUND 1965. I WILL SEE IF I CAN DIG IT OUT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY WIRE IN THE HANDLE OR A SHEITH. I HAVEN'T SEEN MANY OVER THE YEARS SO I WOULD GUESS THEY ARE UNCOMMON. INTERESTING BLADE AS IT IS MADE TO LOOK ALMOST LIKE A SPEAR BLADE.

6th October 2005, 08:29 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,229	I have a similar hilted katipunan bolo and the nail keeps the twisted brass wire in the handle also, at both ends.

6th October 2005, 11:27 AM	#6
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Mine has a hole about the width of the groove at the end of each channel. A dowel made of horn or wood holds the brass strip in. I'll post dimensions tonight. Steve