Horn & Silver: a cross-cultural "Go on... show us" thread.

ThePepperSkull · 6th February 2012, 09:31 AM

Browsing through backlogs of this fine forum and through old online auctions, I found that what struck me most as particularly attractive was the stark contrast that Horn hilts have against Silver fittings.

Then the idea stuck in my head to start this thread. I've seen a lot of Horn-Silver combinations from southeast asia all the way to europe and the Middle East. I thought "Why not ask everyone at EAA to showcase what they have?"

I figure if it's worked well with specific weapons, a theme that would cross cultures could certainly be interesting.

So go on... Show us your blades with Horn & Silver fittings!

I'll start: Here's a nice, old Philippine (Luzon) piece for your viewing pleasure.

Battara · 6th February 2012, 08:44 PM

What a nice piece with a long blade! Like the silver work.

Here are my 2 pieces:

The first is Tagalog and may be Katipunan (Philippines).

The second is Tejeros Convention (Philippines) and an officer's dagger.

ThePepperSkull · 6th February 2012, 09:06 PM

Jose, do you still have that Lumad piece that had a horn hilt? i forget if it was yours or if you did restoration work on it. I think you redid the silver on the sheath? In any case, that one was a beautiful horn-silver combo.

Anyone got any indo-persian or Middle eastern examples?

kahnjar1 · 7th February 2012, 04:40 AM

A few Middle Eastern Jambiya with horn (sadly not rhino) and silver hilts.
Hope this is of interest.
Regards Stu

Norman McCormick · 7th February 2012, 04:27 PM

Hi,
Horn and silver on a Yataghan of mine. Hope this fits the bill.
Regards,
Norman.

ThePepperSkull · 7th February 2012, 06:35 PM

Beautiful pieces, gentlemen. Keep 'em coming!

Robert · 7th February 2012, 08:15 PM

Three silver fitted Philippine ( Luzon) daggers with horn grips and a shadrigan bladed barong.

carlos · 7th February 2012, 09:14 PM

I love this type of combination,mainly in Pieces from Philippines. These are 2 of my collection. A dagger and a bolo.
I,m sure this post will be perfect to see in the future to be more happy!!
best regards
carlos

Sajen · 7th February 2012, 09:25 PM

A sewar from Indonesia/Sumatra, handle and crosspiece of the sheath from horn with silver fittings.

Regards,

Detlef

Ferguson · 7th February 2012, 10:01 PM

A couple of my favorites.
Steve

thinreadline · 8th February 2012, 04:29 PM

Here is one of my wife's gaucho knives ..

Lew · 8th February 2012, 09:15 PM

Here is mine

Berkley · 9th February 2012, 05:07 AM

A kothimora kukri, the silver-mounted scabbard complemented by a hilt of water buffalo horn, studded with silver pins and encircled by rings of silver.

Sajen · 9th February 2012, 10:24 PM

A horn hilted alamang with silver sleeves at the handle and at the sheath.

Battara · 10th February 2012, 01:35 AM

Berkely nice to see you again. Great kothimora! love the silver pins!

Sajen never saw an alamang with silver like that before.

Spunjer · 10th February 2012, 04:59 PM

horn and silver, from the three main islands:
dagger from luzon
binangon from visayas
gasah and kalis from mindanao (sulu)

Sajen · 10th February 2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

horn and silver, from the three main islands:
dagger from luzon
binangon from visayas
gasah and kalis from mindanao (sulu)

Wow!

ThePepperSkull · 10th February 2012, 09:18 PM

I've heard this twice now -- The older form "pira" is colloquially known among Yakan today as Gasa? It's nice to know that there is a distinction rather than "Pira" and "Older-form pira". Thank for sharing, ron!

What's the story behind the Brass-bladed Luzon dagger? I only know anectodal reasons behind why these were made (Brass and copper being the only thing that can harm or ward off evil spirits), but aside from hearsay among my titos I don't know the actual reason why (Practical or religious/superstitious)

That Sulu kris is great as well (Actually, All of those are pretty great!) . I have a Sulu piece coming to me (When the payments clear) with a similar hilt, albeit newer than the blade.

I have yet to hold it in-hand but I cannot wait till I can. I actually think this one was discussed in these forums a while back before I became its owner. Check it out:

Spunjer · 10th February 2012, 11:20 PM

The blade remains a mystery, dave. Like you, i've heard growing up that brass or copper tends to lean towards the supernatural.
So that's where the kalis went! Congrats on snagging that one! I was contemplating on that one as well, but it came out at the wrong time, lol...

ThePepperSkull · 11th February 2012, 08:08 AM

Sold some of my collection to pay for it (and am still making payments) but it is a piece that I think is well worth it. The older form half waves are my favourite, and like I said in the opening post, I find horn and silver fittings particularly beautiful. To be its current caretaker (can you really own something that will outlive you? I think not) is a priviledge.

I'm sure most of you feel the same way about your pieces. Why else would we obsess over them?

Lew · 11th February 2012, 05:02 PM

Here is a small Kris dagger I picked up last year with silver and horn.

Ferguson · 12th February 2012, 02:40 AM

Sweet dagger Lew.

Steve

ThePepperSkull · 21st April 2012, 07:06 AM

Beautiful examples, everyone!

Any more Middle Eastern pieces? I am very interested!

paolo · 21st April 2012, 03:26 PM

Hi
here are the closeups of my two yataghan.
Paolo

paolo · 21st April 2012, 03:28 PM

And here other from Archipelago and Philippine.
Paolo

paolo · 21st April 2012, 03:31 PM

The last one from Burma.

Sajen · 21st April 2012, 04:35 PM

Very nice pieces Paolo!

This thread should be attached to the Classic Threads!

David R · 21st April 2012, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Very nice pieces Paolo!

This thread should be attached to the Classic Threads!

Yep!

ThePepperSkull · 24th May 2012, 11:11 AM

Absolutely beautiful, gentlemen!

It's veryinteresting to see Horn being used on all these different blades. the Yataghans in particular are of particular interest to me as I have the least experience with/knowledge of them.

JeffS · 8th March 2025, 09:09 AM

Ha, found this old thread from back in the day when we weren't afraid to have a little fun around here

! Let's get it going again!

6th February 2012, 09:31 AM	#1
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Horn & Silver: a cross-cultural "Go on... show us" thread. Browsing through backlogs of this fine forum and through old online auctions, I found that what struck me most as particularly attractive was the stark contrast that Horn hilts have against Silver fittings. Then the idea stuck in my head to start this thread. I've seen a lot of Horn-Silver combinations from southeast asia all the way to europe and the Middle East. I thought "Why not ask everyone at EAA to showcase what they have?" I figure if it's worked well with specific weapons, a theme that would cross cultures could certainly be interesting. So go on... Show us your blades with Horn & Silver fittings! I'll start: Here's a nice, old Philippine (Luzon) piece for your viewing pleasure. Attached Images

6th February 2012, 08:44 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	What a nice piece with a long blade! Like the silver work. Here are my 2 pieces: The first is Tagalog and may be Katipunan (Philippines). The second is Tejeros Convention (Philippines) and an officer's dagger. Attached Images

7th February 2012, 04:40 AM	#4
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,811	A few Middle Eastern Jambiya with horn (sadly not rhino) and silver hilts. Hope this is of interest. Regards Stu Attached Images

7th February 2012, 04:27 PM	#5
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,646	Hi, Horn and silver on a Yataghan of mine. Hope this fits the bill. Regards, Norman. Attached Images

7th February 2012, 08:15 PM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Three silver fitted Philippine ( Luzon) daggers with horn grips and a shadrigan bladed barong. Attached Images Last edited by Robert Coleman; 7th February 2012 at 09:39 PM.

6th February 2012, 09:06 PM	#3
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Jose, do you still have that Lumad piece that had a horn hilt? i forget if it was yours or if you did restoration work on it. I think you redid the silver on the sheath? In any case, that one was a beautiful horn-silver combo. Anyone got any indo-persian or Middle eastern examples?

7th February 2012, 06:35 PM	#6
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Beautiful pieces, gentlemen. Keep 'em coming!

7th February 2012, 09:14 PM	#8
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 755	I love this type of combination,mainly in Pieces from Philippines. These are 2 of my collection. A dagger and a bolo. I,m sure this post will be perfect to see in the future to be more happy!! best regards carlos Attached Images

7th February 2012, 09:25 PM	#9
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,416	A sewar from Indonesia/Sumatra, handle and crosspiece of the sheath from horn with silver fittings. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

7th February 2012, 10:01 PM	#10
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	A couple of my favorites. Steve Attached Images

8th February 2012, 04:29 PM	#11
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	Here is one of my wife's gaucho knives .. Attached Images

8th February 2012, 09:15 PM	#12
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Here is mine Attached Images

9th February 2012, 05:07 AM	#13
Berkley Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Austin, Texas USA Posts: 257	A kothimora kukri, the silver-mounted scabbard complemented by a hilt of water buffalo horn, studded with silver pins and encircled by rings of silver. Attached Images

9th February 2012, 10:24 PM	#14
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,416	A horn hilted alamang with silver sleeves at the handle and at the sheath. Attached Images Last edited by Sajen; 9th February 2012 at 10:38 PM.

10th February 2012, 01:35 AM	#15
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Berkely nice to see you again. Great kothimora! love the silver pins! Sajen never saw an alamang with silver like that before.

10th February 2012, 04:59 PM	#16
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	horn and silver, from the three main islands: dagger from luzon binangon from visayas gasah and kalis from mindanao (sulu) Attached Images

10th February 2012, 09:18 PM	#18
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	I've heard this twice now -- The older form "pira" is colloquially known among Yakan today as Gasa? It's nice to know that there is a distinction rather than "Pira" and "Older-form pira". Thank for sharing, ron! What's the story behind the Brass-bladed Luzon dagger? I only know anectodal reasons behind why these were made (Brass and copper being the only thing that can harm or ward off evil spirits), but aside from hearsay among my titos I don't know the actual reason why (Practical or religious/superstitious) That Sulu kris is great as well (Actually, All of those are pretty great!) . I have a Sulu piece coming to me (When the payments clear) with a similar hilt, albeit newer than the blade. I have yet to hold it in-hand but I cannot wait till I can. I actually think this one was discussed in these forums a while back before I became its owner. Check it out: Attached Images

10th February 2012, 11:20 PM	#19
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	The blade remains a mystery, dave. Like you, i've heard growing up that brass or copper tends to lean towards the supernatural. So that's where the kalis went! Congrats on snagging that one! I was contemplating on that one as well, but it came out at the wrong time, lol...

11th February 2012, 08:08 AM	#20
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Sold some of my collection to pay for it (and am still making payments) but it is a piece that I think is well worth it. The older form half waves are my favourite, and like I said in the opening post, I find horn and silver fittings particularly beautiful. To be its current caretaker (can you really own something that will outlive you? I think not) is a priviledge. I'm sure most of you feel the same way about your pieces. Why else would we obsess over them?

11th February 2012, 05:02 PM	#21
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Here is a small Kris dagger I picked up last year with silver and horn. Attached Images

12th February 2012, 02:40 AM	#22
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Sweet dagger Lew. Steve

21st April 2012, 07:06 AM	#23
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Beautiful examples, everyone! Any more Middle Eastern pieces? I am very interested!

21st April 2012, 03:26 PM	#24
paolo Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 173	Hi here are the closeups of my two yataghan. Paolo Attached Images

21st April 2012, 03:28 PM	#25
paolo Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 173	And here other from Archipelago and Philippine. Paolo Attached Images

21st April 2012, 03:31 PM	#26
paolo Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 173	The last one from Burma. Attached Images

21st April 2012, 04:35 PM	#27
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,416	Very nice pieces Paolo! This thread should be attached to the Classic Threads!

24th May 2012, 11:11 AM	#29
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Absolutely beautiful, gentlemen! It's veryinteresting to see Horn being used on all these different blades. the Yataghans in particular are of particular interest to me as I have the least experience with/knowledge of them.

8th March 2025, 09:09 AM	#30
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 441	Ha, found this old thread from back in the day when we weren't afraid to have a little fun around here ! Let's get it going again! Attached Images