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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 638
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Short write-up by Raymundo V. Lucero, Jr.
These swords were called "nobility bolos" in Spanish and American-written historical references. They were made sometime during the Spanish colonial era (estimated mid to late 1800s). They were called "nobility" because they were made of premium materials (for the Philippines context), mainly carabao horn for the hilt, brass for the ferrule and guard, hardened wrought iron for the blade, and brass-accented leather sheath. Considered expensive for their time, these swords were worn by wealthy landowners and high-ranking officers as status weapons. The sword construction is threaded tang. The blade profiles are called, from top to bottom, "hojas tari" (also known as uhas tari, wastari, ohas tari, oas tari in other PH languages) and an unknown profile possibly known as "dahong palay" in the old Batangas context (there are many "dahong palay" swords profiles across other provinces, across different eras). The swords were obviously influenced by European sword design, especially with regard to the threaded tang construction, brass guards, and leather sheaths. Special thanks to my mentors Style Allah and Zel Umali (former forum members) for their unparalleled sword knowledge and generosity. |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,726
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Hello Xas,
Thank you for posting this! Would my sword also be in this category? I ask because the tang is peened and the guard is made of iron. And I don't think it's from Batangas, correct? Regards, Detlef |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 638
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Hullo Detlef, yes I believe your handsome bolo is also Tagalog nobility class =) I would postulate it to be from Tayabas (Quezon Province in modern time).
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,726
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#5 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,162
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Just to indicate the quality of construction of one of Xas' swords, here are a couple of pictures of it disassembled. There are a lot parts, including a small brass washer under the terminal screw, and a terminal brass plate.
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#6 | |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 638
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#7 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,162
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#8 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
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Great info. Maraming Salamat!
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