Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


1029 - Philippine Single Edged Knife with Brass Crossguard and Trim

This Bowie-like false edge clip point blade is 9¼ inches (23.6 cm) long and 0.15 inch (0.37 cm) in greatest thickness. The hilt is fitted with a brass cross guard and has brass ferrules at either end with a central grip portion composed of alternating discs of decorated brass and bone with panels of what appear to be dark water buffalo horn at the center. The cross section of the hilt is mostly round, but rises to a low ridge on the edge side. A 'four leaf' tang button finishes the end of the hilt. This knife most likely is from the southern Philippines in the 20th Century, but the hilt is made in a style reminiscent of knives from Albacete (Spain) or the Canary Islands. The blade shows light pitting and there is some damage to the horn. There is no sheath. Overall length is 14¾ inches (37.5 cm) with a weight of 13½ ounces (384 grams).




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