Kampilan metal guards or "staples"

Gavin Nugent · 28th December 2023, 12:55 AM

Given the recent discussions across various posts and other historical posts, I'd like to explore the feature of the "staples" and various examples of the type.

There are a variety of metals used, Iron, brass, silver, and a variety of styles.

Whilst these are practical features, I can help but wonder if there was some intended mimicking of Spanish rapier guards with the twists and turns of some staple types, and I do recall seeing a guard that was drilled with the holes facing towards the blade, which, if it once had staples, would have been quite a sight as I'd have expected some sort of blade catching arrangement.

I'll start with these from within the forum pages. Whilst perhaps not the most exotic by design, they do seem to be amongst the rarest types.

Rick · 28th December 2023, 02:30 AM

Brass or bronze; one a sand casting, the other wrought.

Battara · 28th December 2023, 03:22 AM

Here are pictures of 1 of 3 kampilans I have.

This one is ivory with a silver staple:

Battara · 28th December 2023, 03:30 AM

Here is one kampilan that I once owned but sold to the Philippines.

The staple is made of bronze. This was my favorite staple.

Rick · 28th December 2023, 04:49 AM

Nice to see another cast bronze staple, Jose.

Talk about intricate work, nicely done.

Gavin Nugent · 28th December 2023, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Nice to see another cast bronze staple, Jose.

Talk about intricate work, nicely done.

Agreed, that is stunning old world workmanship.

I recall there was a silver one within these pages, cast in the form of snakes. Anyone know it?

werecow · 28th December 2023, 09:28 AM

This one Gavin?

Gavin Nugent · 28th December 2023, 11:52 AM

That's the one!

Battara, can you tell us more about it?
Was this refitted or a modern bespoke request?

Battara · 28th December 2023, 11:18 PM

This was my attempt at restoration. When i owned this piece it had half of the bone guard present. So I made another bone part to try to match, then replaced the missing guard with a twisted double snake made of chased silver with each end in the form of a snake head with copper eyes. I chose to do this to match the other parts of the kampilan hilt mounts.

Years later, a new dealer took all of that out, did their own bone, and got rid of any guard.

This is one which I wish I didn't have to sell off at the time.

Battara · 29th December 2023, 04:06 AM

The first picture is how I received it.

The second picture is what I was trying to match with the new guard I made. This "ring" was holding the long Maranao cloth mansala in place.

I placed the third picture of my guard work below the second for comparison.

28th December 2023, 12:55 AM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Kampilan metal guards or "staples" Given the recent discussions across various posts and other historical posts, I'd like to explore the feature of the "staples" and various examples of the type. There are a variety of metals used, Iron, brass, silver, and a variety of styles. Whilst these are practical features, I can help but wonder if there was some intended mimicking of Spanish rapier guards with the twists and turns of some staple types, and I do recall seeing a guard that was drilled with the holes facing towards the blade, which, if it once had staples, would have been quite a sight as I'd have expected some sort of blade catching arrangement. I'll start with these from within the forum pages. Whilst perhaps not the most exotic by design, they do seem to be amongst the rarest types. Attached Images

28th December 2023, 02:30 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	Brass or bronze; one a sand casting, the other wrought. Attached Images

28th December 2023, 03:22 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	Here are pictures of 1 of 3 kampilans I have. This one is ivory with a silver staple: Attached Images

28th December 2023, 03:30 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	Here is one kampilan that I once owned but sold to the Philippines. The staple is made of bronze. This was my favorite staple. Attached Images

28th December 2023, 11:18 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	This was my attempt at restoration. When i owned this piece it had half of the bone guard present. So I made another bone part to try to match, then replaced the missing guard with a twisted double snake made of chased silver with each end in the form of a snake head with copper eyes. I chose to do this to match the other parts of the kampilan hilt mounts. Years later, a new dealer took all of that out, did their own bone, and got rid of any guard. This is one which I wish I didn't have to sell off at the time. Last edited by Battara; 29th December 2023 at 04:12 AM.

28th December 2023, 04:49 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	Nice to see another cast bronze staple, Jose. Talk about intricate work, nicely done.

28th December 2023, 09:28 AM	#7
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 493	This one Gavin?

28th December 2023, 11:52 AM	#8
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	That's the one! Battara, can you tell us more about it? Was this refitted or a modern bespoke request?

29th December 2023, 04:06 AM	#10
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	The first picture is how I received it. The second picture is what I was trying to match with the new guard I made. This "ring" was holding the long Maranao cloth mansala in place. I placed the third picture of my guard work below the second for comparison. Attached Images