Tabak Or Something Else?

[Robert]

Here is another bolo that is a little odd. To me it looks like a short tabak but instead of the blade tip being blunt it has a double sided V grind. The rest of the blade has the standard chisel grind. The blade also sports quite a few dings in the spine from being pounded on or from pounding on something. I would thnk that it is more a general utility knife than an out and out weapon. Nicely carved but cracked light colored or very faded horses hoof shaped horn grip with a steel ferrel braised at the seem. Tang goes through the hilt and steel but plate and is then peened over. Probably from Luzon or the surrounding area like most items I have. Has what is left of the scabbard which is better than none at all. Probably late 19th or early 20th century. Sorry about my poor picture taking ability. All comments are very welcome. Thank you all for looking.

Robert

Total length 17-3/4"
Blade length 12"
Blade thickness at grip 5/16"
Blade at widest 1-5/8"
Grip length 5-3/4"

[migueldiaz]

Hi Robert,

Am not an expert on these blades, nor on any other blade for that matter!

But once again in the Macau exhibit, they had there two bolos (pics below) that are very similar to the one you have.

And their descriptions are as follows:

210. Luzon Tabak
Period : Post 1900, Katipunan Era.
Hilt : Carved fluted carabao horn hilt with brass wire inlaid in flutes.
Blade : Chisel ground blade with a forward down and upsweep shaped blade.
Scabbard : Tooled leather scabbard with leather throat.
Origin : Southern Luzon, possibly Batangas.
Overall Length : 51.5 cm [20.3"]
Blade Length : 35.5 cm [14.0"]
Handle Length : 16 cm [6.3"]
Scabbard Length : 37.8 cm [14.9"]

211. Luzon Tabak
Period : Post 1900, Katipunan Era.
Hilt : Detailed and intricately carved carabao horn hilt in the shape of a horse head detailed silver reigns and eye cover. Round silver ferrule. Intricately carved floral motif Peened tang.
Blade : Chisel ground blade with the clipped tip. Blade is inlaid with silver in floral motif.
Scabbard : Tooled leather scabbard with leather throat.
Origin : Northern Luzon
Overall Length : 49.2 cm [19.4"]
Blade Length : 33.2 cm [13.1"]
Handle Length : 16 cm [6.3"]
Scabbard Length : 32.5 cm [12.8"]

[Battara]

It does look like a form of tabak to me, definitely Luzon if not Pampangan, perhaps a little later like the 1920s?

[Robert]

Migueldiaz and Jose,
Again I thank you both for your interest and for you help in trying to make a positive ID, place of origin and for a more accurate timeline for when and where this piece was made. I was basing my estimate of age on what was left of the scabbard as well as blade and grip shape. BTW, the blade is nowhere as clean as it looks in the pictures (flash glare) as I had to take them inside because I cannot tolerate cold at all anymore. On the front of the scabbard there is the shadow of a decoration (like the one pictured below) that is no longer there that cannot be seen in the pictures. There is also evidence that there was once a flap (I can never remember the name of it) on the front too. No belt loop or any evidence that there ever was one sewn on it anywhere. I agree with the early 20th century for its age, I was just hoping for a little earlier. Again my thanks to you both.

Robert